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BLACK SEA COMMISSION
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BS_litterNEW_NBI.indd 1
in the
Black Sea Region
COMMISSION ON THE PROTECTION OF THE BLACK SEA AGAINST POLLUTION
Permanent Secretariat
litterSea
in the
Black Sea
Regionof the problem
Marine litter in Marine
the Black
Region:
A review
Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution
Marine litter
19/12/2007 11:39:05
Marine litter
in the
Black Sea Region
The Commission on the Protection of
the Black Sea
Against Pollution
2007
The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply
the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Black Sea Commission or the United
Nations Environment Programme concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area
or of its authorities, or concerning delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Moreover, the views
expressed do not necessarily represent the decision or the stated policy of the Black Sea
Commission or United Nations Environment Programme, nor does citing of trade names or
commercial processes constitute endorsement.
The preparation of this report was financed by the United Nations Environment Programme
For bibliographic purposes this document may be cited as:
BSC, 2007. Marine litter in the Black Sea Region: A review of the problem. Black Sea
Commission Publications 2007-1, Istanbul, Turkey, 160 pp.
Copyright © by the Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea from Pollution
ISBN 978-9944-245-32-6
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No use of this publication may be made for resale or for any other commercial purpose
whatsoever without prior permission in writing from the Permanent Secretariat of the Black Sea
Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution.
Cover design: Nikki Meith
Photos: A. Birkun III, A. Birkun IY, Sergey Krivokhizhin, E. Nazarenko, Y. Yurenko, A. Kryukova
Cover images provided by the Permanent Secretariat of the Commission on the Protection of the
Black Sea Against Pollution, Alexei Birkun IY, Alexander Vershinin and Laura Boicenko.
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PREFACE
The human race is constantly consuming more goods and hence producing more waste.
Unfortunately, this increasing amount of waste produced is not being efficiently collected,
disposed of or processed properly. Due to the increased population in coastal areas; a very
significant amount of litter finds its way to the seashore and marine environments. The problem is
even greater in developing countries, where main targets are to increase economic growth and
production where issues related to protecting the environment are a minor ‘priority’.
The Black Sea, with its densely populated coastal strip, is a “developing” region, especially
considering its ever-increasing importance in energy extraction and transport, tourism, and
fisheries. Marine litter, either originating from the vessels or from the shores or rivers, is a “visible”
pollution problem along the coasts of the Black Sea, in the sea itself and on the bottom of the sea.
Marine litter is also a transboundary problem in this enclosed sea basin which displays a very
dynamic current system, enabling transportation of any matter from a given location in the Black
sea to almost any coastal area. A great portion of the Marine Litter in our region is of non biodegradable nature, therefore, it is not an aesthetic problem simply, but it often seriously damages
the living organisms and might threaten the biodiversity of the Black sea.
This is the most extensive publications written on Marine Litter of the Black Sea. This report
evaluates existing data, policies, activities, and institutional arrangements concerning the Marine
Litter in the Black Sea region and proposes several actions to deal with the problem. One of the
main suggestions is the inclusion of major appropriate actions into the revised Strategic Action
Plan, to be adopted in 2008.
Developing the necessary policy documents and strategic plans could be achieved relatively
smoothly; however, educating the polluters proves the major challenge in dealing with the Marine
Litter problem. Indeed, responsible citizenship could easily decimate this kind of pollution in a
relatively short time.
Many people contributed to this report, i.e. authors, data and other information providers, staff of
the Permanent Secretariat. The members of the Black Sea Commission supported strongly the
preparation of this report, whilst UNEP-RSP provided the necessary funding. Thanks to all
contributors for their efforts towards a “noticeably” cleaner Black Sea.
Dr Ahmet Erkan KIDEYS
Executive Director of the Permanent Secretariat
The Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution
Istanbul, December 2007
i
Dedicated to the memory of
Prof Dr Erdoğan Okuş
(1 June 1962 - 9 April 2006),
one of the contributors of this
report,
who lost his life during a
research cruise in the Black
Sea
iii
AUTHORS OF THE REPORT
AUTHORS OF THE REPORT
Black Sea Regional Consultant on Marine Litter
Alexei Birkun, Jr.
Deputy director on science
Involved in ML research since 2002
Brema Laboratory,
Gagarin Str. 9a-18, 95028, Simferopol, Ukraine
Tel.: +380 652 253503
Fax: +380 652 522792
[email protected]
National Consultants on Marine Litter
Alexei Atudorei
Head of Environmental Engineering Department
Ph.D. on Anaerobic Solid and Liquid Waste
Treatment; President of the Romanian National
Standardization Committee for Waste and Sludge
Characterization; Scientific Secretary of the
Romanian Association for Solid Waste
Management (ARS); member of ISWA; in 20002004 was involved in preparation of the National
Strategy and National Plan for Waste Management
National Research and Development Institute for
Environmental Protection (INCDPM–ICIM), Splaiul
Independentei 294, sector 6, 060031, Bucharest 78,
Romania
Tel.: +40 21 3182057/ext. 160
+40 21 2201056 (direct)
Fax: +40 21 3182001
[email protected]
Tamar Gamgebeli
Chief specialist of the Water Protection Department
Participated in data collection for garbage
management in Batumi and Poti within the ICZM
Programme
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources,
Guramishvili Str. 5a, 0192, Tbilisi, Georgia
Tel.: +995 32 612204
[email protected]
Suna Gurler Dedeoglu
Landscape Architect
Emirhan Cad., Hazimefendi Apt. No 43, Dikilitas, Istanbul,
Turkey
Tel.: +90 212 2274747
[email protected]
Natalia Movchan
Principal consultant of the Ecological Committee of
the Parliament of Ukraine
Participated in the preparation of the Ukrainian
environmental legislation
Parliament of Ukraine,
Grushevsky Str. 5, 01008, Kyiv, Ukraine
Tel.: +380 44 2552286
Fax: +380 44 2552272
[email protected]
Atanaska Nikolova
External consultant
Participated in the elaboration of methodology for
monitoring of ML pollution and preparation of the
Guidelines for beach operators for sustainable
management of the beaches, the Waste
management strategies for the Port of Bourgas and
Bourgas Municipality; took part in monitoring and
analysis of litter pollution on Bulgarian beaches
Basin Directorate for the Black Sea Region,
Sheinovo Str. 24, 8000 Bourgas, Bulgria
Tel.: +359 56 847225
Fax: +359 56 847226
[email protected]
(The late) Erdogan Okus
Professor
Involved in ML research since 2001
Institute of Marine Science and Management, University of
Istanbul, Muskule Sok. No.1, 34470, Vefa/Istanbul, Turkey
Tel.: +90 212 5196788
Fax: +90 212 5268433
Yuriy Yurenko
Head of the Marine Department
Aerovisual surveying of ML in 2003-2005
Centre on Hydrometeorology and Environment Monitoring of
the Black and Azov Seas, Plastunskaya Street 100-84,
354003, Sochi, Russia
Tel.: +7 8622 319264
Fax: +7 8622 614342
[email protected]
iv
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
CONTENTS
AUTHORS OF THE REPORT .........................................................................iv
CONTENTS ....................................................................................................v
LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................... vii
LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................... viii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................. 1
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................ 6
1.
THE BLACK SEA ENVIRONMENT IN VIEW OF MARINE LITTER
PROBLEM ............................................................................................. 8
1.1.
1.2.
1.3.
1.4.
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY ........................................................................................... 8
HYDROLOGY ............................................................................................................. 9
SOCIAL ECOLOGY AND ANTHROPOGENIC THREATS ......................................... 11
MARINE AND SEASHORE AREAS OF THE BLACK SEA STATES .......................... 13
2.
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUMENTS .................................... 15
2.1. INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL LEGAL INSTRUMENTS .................................... 15
2.2. NATIONAL LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUMENTS ................................... 20
3.
EXISTING INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS....................................... 26
3.1. INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS ............................................................ 26
3.2. NATIONAL GOVERNMENTAL AND NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS...... 29
4.
PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES ........................................................ 34
4.1. REGIONAL LEVEL .................................................................................................... 34
4.2. NATIONAL LEVEL..................................................................................................... 36
5.
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON MARINE LITTER IN THE BLACK
SEA REGION ....................................................................................... 46
5.1. MARINE LITTER RESEARCH AND MONITORING IN THE MARINE AND
COASTAL ENVIRONMENT....................................................................................... 46
5.1.1. Data on marine litter in the marine environment ........................................................... 46
5.1.2. Data on marine litter in the coastal environment .......................................................... 54
5.2. EXPERT ASSESSMENT OF MARINE LITTER POLLUTION ..................................... 64
6.
GAPS AND NEEDS IN COVERAGE OF MARINE LITTER
MANAGEMENT .................................................................................... 68
6.1. REGIONAL LEVEL .................................................................................................... 68
7.
PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES ............................................................... 70
7.1. NATIONAL LEVEL..................................................................................................... 70
Bulgaria (Atanaska Nikolova)................................................................................................... 70
Georgia (Tamar Gamgebeli) .................................................................................................... 71
Romania (Alexei Atudorey) ...................................................................................................... 72
Turkey (Erdogan Okus) ............................................................................................................ 73
7.2. REGIONAL LEVEL .................................................................................................... 75
v
CONTENTS
CONCLUSIONS........................................................................................... 77
RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................. 79
REFERENCES ............................................................................................. 80
ACRONYMS ................................................................................................ 82
ANNEXES.................................................................................................... 84
ANNEX 1 ..................................................................................................... 85
A TEMPLATE OF NATIONAL REPORT ON THE STATE OF MARINE LITTER
PROBLEM IN THE BLACK SEA REGION: ................................................................ 85
ANNEX 2 ..................................................................................................... 99
BLACK SEA LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS AND SPECIALISTS RELATED TO ML
MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH, MONITORING, CLEANUP OPERATIONS,
UTILIZATION AND PUBLIC EDUCATION................................................................. 99
ANNEX 3 ................................................................................................... 108
INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS RELEVANT TO
THE BLACK SEA ML PROBLEM (1993−2006) ....................................................... 108
ANNEX 4 ................................................................................................... 109
EXAMPLE OF THE INVENTORY LIST OF UNDERWATER ML SURVEY BY STH,
ISTANBUL............................................................................................................... 109
ANNEX 5 ................................................................................................... 111
GBF REPORT ON COASTAL LITTER MONITORING ...................................................... 111
ANNEX 6 ................................................................................................... 126
MAPS OF MARITIME AND SEASHORE AREAS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF
BLACK SEA STATES .............................................................................................. 126
ANNEX 7 ................................................................................................... 129
NATIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHIES ON ML ............................................................................ 129
ANNEX 8 ................................................................................................... 131
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION ON MARINE LITTER DURING THE 15TH
MEETING OF THE ADVISORY GROUP ON POLLUTION MONITORING AND
ASSESSMENT ........................................................................................................ 131
ANNEX 9 ................................................................................................... 137
DRAFT STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND ABATEMENT
OF MARINE LITTER IN THE BLACK SEA REGION (BS-ML-SAP) ......................... 137
vi
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.1. Types and sources of pollution in the Black Sea ............................................. 12
Table 1.2. Characteristics of Black Sea maritime and seashore areas of the riparian
countries ................................................................................................................... 14
Table 2.1. Participation of Black Sea states in the conventions and international
agreements which are relevant to the management and mitigation of ML
problem..................................................................................................................... 16
Table 2.2. Presence of ML-related items in national legal and administrative
instruments regulating different human activities..................................................... 20
Table 2.3. National legal acts and central government documents relevant to the
management of ML problem .................................................................................... 20
Table 2.4. Administrative instruments regulating ML problem on subordinate
(ministerial, province, district, municipal, harbor, etc.) levels ................................... 22
Table 4.2. Implemented and running activities related to ML problem (Bulgaria) ............. 39
Table 4.3. Outputs of ML-related projects and other initiatives implemented in Black
Sea countries in 1996−2006 ..................................................................................... 44
Table 5.1. Estimated relative values of ML pollution (aerial survey, August 2002)............ 48
Table 5.2. Amount of solid waste by destination, 2004 Data received from web page
of the Turkish Statistical Institute (www.turkstat.gov.tr) ........................................... 61
Table 5.3. Experts’ views on the level of ML pollution in 2005 in the marine
environment .............................................................................................................. 64
Table 5.4. Experts’ views on the level of ML pollution in 2005 in the coastal
environment .............................................................................................................. 64
Table 5.5. Experts’ evaluation of the general trend of ML pollution during last 10
years (1996-2005) in the marine environment .......................................................... 64
Table 5.6. Experts’ evaluation of the general trend of ML pollution during last 10
years (1996-2005) in the coastal environment.......................................................... 65
Table 5.7. Primary sources of ML ranked according to the experts’ scores..................... 65
Table 5.8. ML hot spots indicated by the national consultants......................................... 66
Table 5.9. Basic groups of ML ingredients ranked according to the experts’ scores....... 67
Table 6.1. Identification of priorities by national consultants on ML ................................. 69
vii
LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF FIGURES
Fig. 1.1. Black Sea drainage basin and a list of twenty two Basin’s countries –
potential contributors to Black Sea ML pollution via their river run-off (after
Zaitsev and Mamaev, 1997)........................................................................................ 9
Fig. 1.2. Basic scheme of superficial sea currents and main land-based sources and
hot spots of marine pollution in the Black Sea region: ............................................. 10
Fig. 5.1. Study areas surveyed in August 2002. Tracklines used for ML surveying are
shown as solid lines of different thickness. The thickness of lines corresponds
with average ML scores estimated for each trackline: from 0 (the most thin line)
to 1,7 (the most thick line). ....................................................................................... 47
Fig. 5.2. ‘Chernov-22’ aeroplanes used for ML syrveying in August 2002 (photo by E.
Nazarenko)................................................................................................................ 48
Fig. 5.3. Number of ML sightings recorded in 2005 in different areas of the Russian
Black and Azov Seas. ............................................................................................... 49
Fig. 5.4. Potential ML on the river bank, Russian Caucasus............................................. 50
Fig. 5.5. Study area and 13 parallel tracklines used for the vessel-based line
transect survey in Ukrainian waters of the Kerch Strait in August 2003. ................. 51
Fig. 5.6. Study area and 57 zigzag tracklines used for the vessel-based line transect
survey in Ukrainian territorial waters of the Black Sea in September and
October 2003............................................................................................................ 51
Fig. 5.7. Estimated number of ML items per 10 km on the surveyed tracklines in the
Ukrainian Black Sea (vessel-based survey, September–October 2003). ................. 52
Fig. 5.8. Estimated number of plastic bottles per 10 km on the surveyed tracklines in
the Ukrainian Black Sea (vessel-based survey, September–October 2003). ........... 53
Fig. 5.9. Composition of ML items recorded in the Istanbul Strait by means of
underwater investigation (STH, 2005)....................................................................... 54
Fig. 5.10. Location of study areas (examined plots of the beach) in the Crimea
(pedestrian surveys, November 2002 – July 2003)................................................... 55
Fig. 5.11. Accumulation of wooden and plastic ML on Black Sea coast of the
southern Crimea, Ukraine: the unorganized beach near Rybachye in
September 2002 ....................................................................................................... 57
Fig. 5.12. The beached paper sack with tar balls melting on the heated sand in the
vicinity of Shtormovoye (western Crimea, June 2003), ............................................ 58
Fig. 5.13. Main towns discharging solid wastes at the Black Sea coast of Turkey .......... 58
Fig. 5.14 Enormous deposit of ML represented by the landfill near Zonguldak. .............. 59
Fig. 5.15. Composition of ML collected in Turkey on the coasts of the Mediterranean,
Aegean and Black Seas and Turkish Straits System within the International
Coastal Cleanup Campaign in 2003 and 2004. ........................................................ 63
Fig. A5-1 Inventory list of underwater ML survey by STH Istanbul ................................. 109
viii
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Marine litter is any persistent, manufactured or processed
solid material discarded, disposed of or abandoned in the
marine and coastal environment.
Marine litter consists of items that have been made or
used by people and deliberately discarded into the sea or
rivers or on beaches; brought indirectly to the sea with
rivers, sewage, storm water or winds; accidentally lost,
including material lost at sea in bad weather (fishing gear,
cargo); or deliberately left by people on beaches and
shores.
Marine Litter: An Analytical Overview (UNEP, 2005)
ix
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In parallel to its urbanised life style, human is producing increasingly more litter. The Black Sea
does not constitute an exception from global negative tendency towards a total coating of the
hydrosphere with man-made debris. However, this problem is not properly addressed and
managed yet on the regional and national levels. Bearing in mind that marine litter (ML) is a priority
for both the Black Sea Commission (BSC) and the UNEP Regional Seas Programme, the latter
organization provided support to the BSC Secretariat for the development of Regional Activity on
ML in the Black Sea within the framework of the Strategic Action Plan on Rehabilitation and
Protection of the Black Sea (BS SAP).
This report includes several sections and a summary for each section could be summarized as the
following.
Methodology and expertise. In 2005, it was agreed between above competent bodies that the
BSC Secretariat undertakes a series of actions aimed to address and restrain the ML problem.
Those actions should provide among others the preparation of a basic Review Document on ML
in the Black Sea region. It was decided that the document should include: the data on ML in the
marine and coastal environment; the analysis of existing institutional arrangements, legal and
administrative instruments, programmes and initiatives; the identification of gaps in the knowledge
and needs in the coverage of ML management; and specific proposals and recommendations for
changes for the better.
It was stated also that the regional Review Document should be based on appropriate national ML
reports arranged in compliance with some standard questionnaire. Thus, the BSC Secretariat has
designated one regional and six national consultants on ML (one specialist from each Black Sea
country) and asked them to collect, analyze and present available information. The questionnaire
was prepared in early 2006 and national ML reports were completed by the mid summer 2006.
The first draft of the regional Review Document/Report under the title “Marine Litter in the Black
Sea Region: A Review of the Problem” was considered, commented and then adopted by
participants of the Special Session on ML within the 15th Meeting of the BSC Advisory Group on
Pollution Monitoring and Assessment (Istanbul, 9-10 October 2006). Results of that session were
supported by the 15th Regular Meeting of the BSC (Istanbul, 20-21 November 2006). The second
draft, improved in accordance with comments by the national consultants and recommendations
of the ML session, was submitted to the BSC Secretariat in December 2006 and then, in January
2007, to the UNEP Regional Seas Coordinating Office.
This is the third version of the Review Document on ML in the Black Sea Region. The structure
and text of the report were strengthened owing to advices kindly provided by UNEP experts. The
report consists of eight sections and supplemented with nine annexes.
The Black Sea environment in view of ML problem Geographical scope of the ML problem
extends over the entire catchment area of the Black Sea drainage basin and includes the Black
Sea proper; two satellite seas (the Sea of Azov and Marmara Sea); two straits connecting the
Black Sea with the satellite seas (the Strait of Kerch and Istanbul Strait - otherwise known as
Bosphorus); all rivers (along with their tributaries), flowing into the above maritime areas; coastal
territories bordering to these maritime areas; and all land drained by the rivers and their confluents.
Air masses shifting over the region add to the problem of ML accumulation and dissemination.
The pronounced horizontal stratification of the Black Sea water column, caused by hydrophysical
and hydrochemical factors (gradients of temperature, salinity, oxygen and permanent anoxic
layers with H2S) suggests different density of water mass on the margins and within all these strata.
Thus, it could be supposed that the distribution of ML is also stratified in the sea in accordance
with density (or flotation ability) of different ML items. The most dense ML objects sink and
accumulate on the sea bottom, while the least dense ones drift on the sea surface and in time,
sooner or later, become washed ashore. The third group of ML items (probably, vastly numerous
1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
in its absolute number) is suspended in the water column between the surface and bottom. The
hypothesis of ML stratification consists in selective horizontal accumulation of certain suspended
ML items following the thermocline, halocline and transitional layer between the oxygenated and
anoxic waters.
Total population in the Black Sea catchment area exceeds 160-170 million, and daily activities of
all these people in some way or other affect the Black Sea environment and, presumably,
contribute to ML problem which is originated almost completely (but not only) from the problem of
solid waste pollution. The ML problem is closely linked to major problems of public health,
conservation of the environment, and sustainable development in the Black Sea region. ML
originates from various land- and sea-based sources as a result of manifold human activities and,
evidently, causes multivectorial negative impact on the population, wild life, abiotic nature and
some sectors of economy. Floating ML and ML items suspended in the water are transported by
currents and winds throughout the sea and, thereby, cause transboundary dissemination of solid
wastes and basin-wide enlargement of the problem.
Besides, widespread distribution of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Black
and Azov Seas can be considered as a peculiar source of ML. That is true indeed regarding
countless illegal nets and nets which were discarded or abandoned causing the so-called “ghost
fishing”. High concentrations of fixed and floating IUU fishing gear in some areas result in the
reduction of habitat space, formation of obstacles on migration ways and enhancement of
incidental mortality (by-catch) of cetaceans, fishes and crustaceans. Although no special research
on the abandoned nets has been conducted in the Black Sea region, the problem of “ghost
fishing”, undoubtedly, exists at least in the shelf area.
National consultants on ML presented basic reference data regarding maritime areas and
seashores of the Black Sea riparian states. This information could be useful for recognizing
possible spread of ML in each country and, therefore, for planning ML research, monitoring and
cleanup activities.
Legal and administrative instruments Black Sea ML is a matter of regulation to some extent (but
so far always incompletely) by a series of legal acts aimed to harmonize various human activities
on the international, regional and national levels. However, up to now there is no any juricidal
instrument dedicated specifically to the management of ML problem for the marine and coastal
environment in the Black Sea. Moreover, the concept of ML problem and “marine litter” itself, as a
law-term in its proper definition (UNEP, 2005), are not accepted and even well-known in the Black
Sea community.
The Black Sea states are the parties to several conventions and international agreements which
are relevant to the management and mitigation of ML problem. The report contains information on
these treaties including the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (the
Bucharest Convention), the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
(MARPOL 73/78), the Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes
and Other Matter (the London Convention), the Convention on the Transboundary Movements of
Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (the Basel Convention), and some other instruments which
have indirect relation to the control of ML problem. The Bucharest Convention, MARPOL 73/78
and the Basel Convention are ratified by all six Black Sea states.
National consultants on ML indicated that the ML problem is regulated partially in their countries
by a number of instruments concerned with various fields of public administration, social life and
different human activities. Chronological lists of such legal and administrative instruments
presented in the report consist of over 140 titles of heterogeneous documents which were
adopted by the governments mainly during the last decade. The detailed comparative analysis of
these instruments should be undertaken in the future, and appropriate recommendations on the
harmonization and improvement of national legislation should appear as a result. Nevertheless, it
seems pertinent to underline the most important points reflecting present situation:
2
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
•
All six Black Sea states are in transition process of developing and updating their
national instruments aimed at combatting marine pollution including ML/ solid waste
component. Actual rate of this process and concrete instruments developed are quite
different in different countries.
•
However, general trends of this process regarding the ML problem are common in all
Black Sea states: (a) to prohibit any deliberate discharge of potential ML at sea and on
the shore; (b) to improve solid waste collection, processing, storage, disposal and
recycling facilities; and (c) to enhance governmental control of activities mentioned in
(a) and (b).
•
National policies in the Black Sea states are aimed at waste minimization, reuse,
recycling and recovery of landfills. The major legislative and regulatory tools for waste
management are adequately developed in the Black Sea countries, and include basic
laws and regulations. Bulgaria and Romania, which were accepted to the EU in
January 2007, transpose relevant EU directives and standards into their national
legislation.
•
One of the main management problems affecting most Black Sea countries consists
in imperfect ability to apply the existing laws and regulations. Being declared once,
they should be implemented in a proper way but sometimes they do not work or work
inadequately.
Institutional arrangements. This section of the report begins with basic information about
intergovernmental organizations involved in ML issues on the global, European and Black Sea
regional level (alphabetically): BSC, CIESM, EU, FAO, GESAMP, IMO, IOC, UNEP and WHO.
A wide variety of governmental organizations, NGOs and business establishments are concerned
about marine and coastal pollution in the Black Sea states at the national and local level. Most of
those entities, represented by ministerial and municipal structures and services, marine and
sanitary inspectorates, research institutions and universities, port administrations, various
agencies, companies and enterprises, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), are involved
(or can be involved) in the activities addressing and combatting ML problem. Six separate subsections of the report are dedicated to national features of the institutional arrangements in each
Black Sea country. The list of organizations and specialists related to the ML management,
research, monitoring, cleanup operations, and public education in the region is annexed to the
report.
Programmes and initiatives. So far, there was no Black Sea regional strategy, action plan or
basin-wide programme that was specifically directed to address and solve the ML problem.
However, during the period from 1996−2007 there were several international and Black Sea
regional programmes and projects which were partly or marginally concerned in ML. The BS SAP
(1996, amended in 2002) seems to be the most appropriate framework that could be
supplemented with specific ML items of the regional significance. This document, being a basis
for cooperative actions on the conservation and improvement of the Black Sea environment,
already includes a series of cognate paragraphs relating to the reduction of pollution from land
based sources, vessels and dumping, to the waste management, and to the assessment and
monitoring of marine pollution.
The 15th Regular Meeting of the BSC (Istanbul, 20-22 November 2006) considered the achieved
progress in implementation of the Black Sea Regional Activity on Marine Litter and approved the
BSC Workplan for the year 2006/2007. Among other things, this workplan includes Paragraph 12
“Updating of the BS SAP”, with the final aim to adopt the new version of this strategic document
at the Ministerial Meeting 2008. It was decided by the BSC members to use this opportunity and
introduce specific ML actions into newly amended BS SAP.
National consultants on ML presented their comments regarding the priority of Black Sea ML
problem and relevant strategic approaches in their countries. Most experts confirm that this
problem constitutes a priority issue on the national level. However, up to now there is no any
national strategy, action plan or programme specifically devoted to ML problem in any Black Sea
3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
state. At the same time, some strategic documents of national significance (e.g., environmental
strategies for the coastal zone and waters, waste management programmes, etc.) are concerned
with the ML problem at least in part. Besides, several ML-related projects were implemented
during the last decade by the environmental NGOs on voluntary basis.
Scientific information on ML During the last decade, some governmental and private institutions
and NGOs in Bulgaria, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine conducted ML research using different
approaches and methods. However, national bibliographies on ML in the Black Sea region are still
scant. There are very few peer reviewed scientific publications on this topic and most of those
papers concern the solid waste management mainly.
Aerial ML surveys have been carried out in the Azov Sea, Kerch Strait and north-eastern shelf area
of the Black Sea. Relative intensity of ML pollution in the Kerch Strait turned out to be almost as
high as in the southern Azov Sea and twice as high as in the Black Sea waters off the northern
Caucasus and eastern Crimea. The results of aerial surveys suggested that major quantity of ML
comes to the Russian Black Sea in late spring and early summer. It was supposed that the level of
ML pollution depends mainly on the level of river run-off in this area. Just river and rain torrents
(which wash down the land-based solid waste) are considered as a principal source/supplier of
ML in the territorial waters of Russia.
Important data on permanent sources of ML have been published by Turkish specialists. Solid
waste management is one of the main environmental problems in the Black Sea region (Celik,
2002). It is reported that at the southern coast of the Black Sea, substantial amount of municipal
and industrial solid wastes, sometimes mixed with hospital and hazardous wastes, are still
dumped on the nearest lowlands and river valleys or directly on the seashore or even at sea. Such
practice is widespread also in Georgia. Most uncontrolled coastal landfills and dumping sites are
not protected from waves and, thus, serve as stationary sources of unknown (but certainly large)
quantities of ML. The continuing accumulation of solid wastes on the coast may cause a growth of
ML in the marine environment due to spontaneous removal of the wastes from the dumps into the
sea by erosive factors such as waves, rains and winds. At the same time, the sea currents and
winds play a role of ML dissemination factors contributing to the transport of floating litter. Thus,
the land-based solid wastes continue to constitute major source of ML for the Black Sea as a
whole. Therefore, ML is a significant region-wide transboundary problem.
Vessel-based line transect surveys have been carried out to study levels of ML pollution in
Ukrainian part of the Kerch Strait and within the entire 12-miles-wide territorial waters of Ukraine
in the Black Sea. As a result, quantitative values of floating plastic ML (general density, absolute
amount and aggregate mass) were estimated. For instance, general density of floating plastic was
estimated as 6.6 and 65.7 pieces/km2 in the Ukrainian Black Sea and Kerch Strait, correspondingly.
Greater numerical predominance of plastic ML (80–98%) has been determined in comparison with
glass ML (2–20%) on the wild (unmanageable) beaches of Crimea, Ukraine, during different
seasons. The density of beachfront pollution by polymeric garbage varied from 333 to 6,250
kg/km2, while the density of glass ML fluctuated between 222 and 1,455 kg/km2.
A series of diving surveys for ML has been realized in different sites within the boundaries of
Istanbul city. Most pieces of the litter recorded were manufactured from glass (31%), plastic (25%)
and metal (21%). A tendency of ML accumulation on the bottom of certain areas was observed.
Solid wastes covered up the ground and local communities of benthic organisms. The abandoned
fishing nets were found (and removed). Some representatives of the marine fauna (including
cephalopods and crustaceans) were recorded to be by-caught in the “ghost” fishing gear. The
concentration of ML collected in different places of the Turkish Black Sea coast varied from 58 to
1,395 kg per linear kilometer of the coastline.
This section of the report presents also expert views on ML pollution provided by the national
consultants. According to interiew data, most visitors of Bulgarian beaches (up to 90%)
appreciated local climatic conditions but did not like rubbish on the coast. The opinion of holidaymakers was that ML strongly (or very strongly) affects quality of a beach.
4
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Gaps and needs in coverage of ML management According to expert valuation by national
consultants on ML, at least seven actions or groups of actions deserve high prioritization on the
national level: correction of waste management policy; improvement of legal and administrative
instruments; development of sustainable ML management; development of ML monitoring
methodology; national assessment of ML pollution; preparation of proposals to prevent and
reduce ML; and preparation of awareness and educational tools.
Meantime, the Special Session on ML of the 15th Meeting of the BSC Advisory Group on Pollution
Monitoring and Assessment (Istanbul, 9-10 October 2006) agreed that the major gaps and needs
in coverage of ML management on the regional level consist of the following eight items:
(a)
underdevelopment of waste management policy and, particularly, its incompleteness
and low efficiency in respect of ML issues;
(b)
imperfection and disbalance of legal and administrative instruments developed for
solid waste and ML management;
(c)
lack of common ML monitoring and assessment approach based on the standardized
methodologies and assessment criteria;
(d)
deficiency of practical measures to prevent and reduce ML pollution;
(e)
technological lag in respect to contemporary methods and devices for collection,
processing, recycling and disposal of solid wastes and ML;
(f)
insufficiency of public awareness/education regarding ML problem;
(g)
low level of involvement of general public and private sector in combatting ML
pollution;
(h)
gaps in professional knowledge on ML issues among managers and authorities
involved in the protection of the Black Sea against pollution.
Proposals for changes, conclusions and recommendations National ML consultants made
helpful suggestions and formulated some project proposals aimed to address and slacken the ML
problem in their countries. Participants of the Special Session on ML (Istanbul, October 2006)
proposed a list of high priority actions to be included in the Regional ML Action Plan. The both
sets of commended activities are summarized in Section 7 of the report, while Section 8 contains
final conclusions and recommendations. Taking into account suggestions, a “Draft Strategic
Action Plan for the Management and Abatement of Marine Litter in the Black Sea Region (BS-MLSAP)” has been drafted as presented in Annex 9.
5
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The overloading of oceans and seas with floating marine litter (ML) and its growing accumulation
on the coasts is one of major environmental problems world-wide (UNEP, 2005). It is generally
recognized that ML superfluity exerts negative influence on marine and coastal ecosystems,
health status of seaside population and normal development of sea-oriented economics including
tourist industry, fishery and shipping.
The Black Sea does not constitute an exception from global tendency towards a total coating of
the hydrosphere with man-made debris. However, this problem is not properly addressed so far
on the regional and national scale, and even actual levels of ML pollution are not adequately
evaluated and monitored in the riparian countries. In view of existing gaps in the knowledge,
certain national and international effort should be applied to gain necessary basic information.
The Governing Council decision 22/2 IIIA on the UNEP Regional Seas Programme, calls for the
utilization of the Regional Seas conventions and Action Plans as a platform for the regional
implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and global programmes and initiatives.
In the resolution on “Oceans and the law of the sea” (A/59/L.22 adopted as resolution 59/25), in
paragraph 92, it is recommended that Consultative Process during its deliberations on the report
of the Secretary General, should organize its discussions around, among others, marine debris.
The 8th special session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum,
held in Jeju, Republic of Korea, from 29 to 31 March 2004, at its 6th plenary meeting on 31 March,
adopted the decision SS.VIII/4 on Waste management, on the basis of drafts approved and
submitted by the Committee of the Whole.
The problem of marine litter was recognized by the UN General Assembly, which in its Resolution
A/60/L.22 - Oceans and the Law of the Sea - of 29 November 2005 in articles 65-70 calls for
national, regional and global actions to address the problem of marine litter. This GA resolution
notes the lack of information and data on marine debris, encourages States to develop
partnerships with industry and civil society, urges States to integrate the issue of marine debris
within national environmental strategies, and encourages States to cooperate regionally and
subregionally to develop and implement joint prevention and recovery programmes for marine
debris. In response to the GA call, UNEP (GPA and the Regional Seas Programme), through its
Global Marine Litter Initiative took an active lead in addressing the challenge, among others, by
assisting 11 Regional Seas around the world in organizing and implementing regional activities on
marine litter (Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea, East Asian Seas, Eastern Africa, Mediterranean
Sea, Northwest Pacific, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, South Asian Seas, South East Pacific, and
Wider Caribbean).
Within the above mentioned context, and within the context of UNEP’s support to the Black Sea
Commission (BSC), bearing in mind that ML is a priority activity for both the BSC and for UNEP’s
Regional Seas Programme, UNEP has provided support to the BSC Secretariat for the
development of Regional Activity on ML in the Black Sea within the framework of the Strategic
Action Plan on Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea (BS SAP).
The objective of this activity is to assist in the environmental protection and sustainable
management and development of the Black Sea region through the development of a Regional
Activity on ML within the framework of BS SAP. A draft amendment to the BS SAP to include this
Regional Activity on ML will be developed under the Memorandum of Understanding signed
between the BSC Secretariat and the UNEP’s Regional Seas Coordinating Office in 2005. In
particular, this document envisages that such amendment be approved by the Contracting Parties
to the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (i.e., by Bulgaria, Georgia,
Romania, Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine).
It is expected that the BS SAP, signed in 1996, based on the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis
carried out by the Black Sea Environmental Programme will be substantially updated in 2008
when the next meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on the Protection of the Black
6
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Sea Against Pollution is to take place. The amendment proposal on ML, worked out in compliance
with the current Memorandum of Understanding should be incorporated with the new draft
Strategic Action Plan and after that submitted to the BSC for approval and than for consultations
at the country level. After the successful national negotiation procedures, the Ministers of
Environment of the six coastal states are expected to sign the new Strategic Action Plan at the
meeting in 2008 and thus the provisions of the Regional Activity on ML document (as presented in
Annex 9) may obtain some legal status in the Black Sea region.
Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, the BSC Secretariat, in consultation with
the UNEP Regional Seas Coordinating Office, shall undertake a series of actions regarding the
addressing ML problem in the Black Sea region.
This report depends on Activity A of the Memorandum: Preparation of a Review Document on ML
in the Black Sea Region, on both the national and regional levels, which will include, among others:
collection and review of existing institutional arrangements; data and information on ML in the
marine and coastal environment; legal and administrative instruments; programmes and initiatives;
identification of gaps and needs in coverage of marine litter management; proposals for changes
and recommendations.
Such Review document should be based on national reports based on standard questionnaires
and their compilation and other available documents and information, such as relevant scientific
papers and other sources and literature. A questionnaire (a template of National Report on the
state of ML problem in the Black Sea region) has been prepared by the Regional Consultant on
ML and filled in by the National Consultants. The questionnaire is enclosed to this report as
Annex 1.
7
1.
1.
THE BLACK SEA ENVIRONMENT IN VIEW OF MARINE LITTER PROBLEM
THE BLACK SEA ENVIRONMENT IN VIEW OF
MARINE LITTER PROBLEM
Geographical scope of ML problem, existing in the Black Sea region, extends over the entire
catchment area of the Black Sea drainage basin and includes the Black Sea proper; two satellite
seas (the Sea of Azov and Marmara Sea); two straits connecting the Black Sea with the satellite
seas (the Strait of Kerch and Istanbul Strait); all rivers (along with their tributaries), flowing into the
above maritime areas; coastal territories bordering to these maritime areas; and all lands drained
by the rivers and their confluents. In other words, the geographical scope includes those parts of
Europe and Asia from which ML can arrive in or depart from the Black Sea region directly or by
dint of water masses involved in the hydrologic regime of the basin. Air masses shifting over the
region add to the problem of ML accumulation and dissemination.
Geographical and hydrological peculiarities of the Black Sea and contiguous water bodies have
been reviewed repeatedly by many authors (e.g., Vylkanov et al., 1983; Zaitsev and Mamaev, 1997;
Birkun, 2002 b; Zaitsev, 2006). Despite some factual contradictions, their general attitude on the
features of these maritime areas may be summarized as follows.
1.1. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
The Black Sea is one of the most isolated inland seas in the world (Fig. 1.1). It is situated between
southeastern Europe and Asia Minor and has a surface area of 420,000-436,000 km2 and a
volume of 537,000-555,000 km3 of water. The average depth is between 1,240 and 1,315 m,
though it reaches a maximum of 2,212 m. From east to west the sea measures 1,175 km, and the
widest distance from north to south is over 610 km. The total length of the coastline is about
4,020-4,340 km. The seafloor is represented by the shelf, continental slope and deep-sea
depression. The shelf is significantly wide (up to 200-250 km) in the northwestern part of the sea,
with a depth varying from 0-160 m. In other coastal areas the shelf strip has a similar depth, but
considerably less width, from 0.5-50 km. Thus, only about one quarter (24-27%) of the sea area
has a depth of less than 200 m.
The shelf is slightly inclined offshore; its relief is composed of underwater valleys, canyons and
terraces. The continental slope is tight and steep, descending in some places at an angle of 2030º. Pelitic muds cover the slope and the deep-sea depression, whereas bottom pebbles, gravel,
sand, silt and rocks are common for shelf area. There are few small islands in the Black Sea; the
biggest one and the most distant from the mainland is the Zmeiny isle (0.18 km2) located 35 km off
shore. The Crimean peninsula (27,000 km2) protrudes into the sea from the north.
At the northeastern corner, the Black Sea is connected to the Sea of Azov by the Strait of Kerch,
which is 41 km long, 4-15 km wide and up to 18 m deep at its south entrance. Shallow Taman
Gulf penetrates deep inland in the central section of the eastern strait's shore represented by the
Taman peninsula of the Caucasus. The opposite coast of the strait is formed by the Kerch
peninsula which is a constituent part of the Crimea. Sandy Tuzla island at the mouth of Taman
Gulf cuts the Kerch Strait across almost in half and into north (Azov Sea) and south (Black Sea)
portions.
The Sea of Azov is about 340 km long and 135 km wide with a surface area of 37,000-39,000 km2
and a volume of only 320 km3. It is the world's shallowest sea with a maximum depth of 13-14 m
in places. The Azov's seafloor, covered by silt and sand, has a generally flat relief. The sea is
trapezoid in shape, forming at the northeast the Gulf of Taganrog, a 140-km-long creek with a
depth of 0-7 m. The Arabat Spit, a 112-km-long sand bar, borders the sea at the west. A series of
sandy spits is situated on the north coast of the sea. Along the shoreline of both the Black and
Azov Seas, mainly on their north and west coasts and in the estuaries of rivers, there are many
salty and brackish lakes and lagoons (limans), which are permanently or occasionally connected
with the sea through canals and scours perforating the spits.
8
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Fig. 1.1. Black Sea drainage basin and a list of twenty two Basin’s countries – potential
contributors to Black Sea ML pollution via their river run-off (after Zaitsev and Mamaev,
1997).
In the southwest, the Black Sea is connected to the Sea of Marmara (and thus the Çanakkale
Strait -otherwise known as Dardanelles Strait- and the Mediterranean) by the Istanbul Strait which
is over 30 km long, 750-3,700 m wide and 37-124 m deep in the midstream. The Sea of Marmara
is about 280 km long and nearly 80 km wide. It has a surface area of 11,000-12,000 km2 and an
average depth of 494 m, reaching a maximum of 1,355 m in the centre. The sea contains several
islands forming two groups. The largest island is Marmara (129 km2) located in front of the
entrance to the Çanakkale Strait.
Over 300 rivers flow into the Black and Azov Seas including the second, third and fourth major
European rivers, namely the Danube, Dnieper and Don. Some rivers (Danube, Don, Kuban,
Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak) form deltas before their confluence with the sea. The Danube delta
(approx 5,920 km2) is the largest wetland in the region.
According to different estimations, the total catchment area of the Black Sea drainage basin
comes to 1,875,000-2,500,000 km2 covering partially or entirely the territories of 22 countries
(see Fig. 1.1).
1.2. HYDROLOGY
The estimated annual volume of river discharge entering the Black Sea fluctuates from 294 to 480
km3. Vast quantities of silt, nutrients, organic matter and unknown amount of ML are brought
down by rivers (in particular, the Danube expels up to 52 million tonnes of sediments per year).
The annual volume of atmospheric precipitations in the Black Sea area (119-300 km3) is usually
lower than the volume of river inflow. The annual level of the evaporation in the Black Sea has
been calculated between 232 and 484 km3. Besides this, the general water balance also depends
on the intensity of water exchange through the Kerch Strait and Istanbul Strait.
There are two counter currents in the Kerch Strait: the surface current flowing from the Azov Sea
to the Black Sea (22-95 km3 of water per year), and the lower one moving in the reverse direction
(29-70 km3 per year). The outflow of Black Sea water through the Istanbul Strait (the surface
current of 227-612 km3 per year) is approximately twice as large as the inflow from the Sea of
Marmara (the lower current of 123-312 km3 per year). The horizontal circulation of Black Sea
superficial waters could be roughly described as the two major ring streams rotating
counterclockwise in the western and eastern parts of the basin with a velocity from 8-18 cm per
second (Fig. 1.2). The smaller counterclockwise currents are also peculiar to the northwestern
shelf area as well as to the Azov and Marmara Seas. The vertical circulation in the Black Sea is
9
1.
THE BLACK SEA ENVIRONMENT IN VIEW OF MARINE LITTER PROBLEM
extremely slow – it takes hundreds of years for the waters at the surface to be replaced by nearbottom waters from the deep-sea depression. Daily tidal oscillations in the Black Sea do not
exceed several centimetres. Severe storms accompanied by waves up to 5-6 m high occur most
often in winter season.
Fig. 1.2. Basic scheme of superficial sea currents and main land-based sources and hot
spots of marine pollution in the Black Sea region:
1 Tsarevo
9
2 Sozopol
3 Bourgas
Krasnoperekopsk
17 Anapa
25 Giresun
10 Evpatoria
18 Novorossiysk
26 Ordu
11 Sevastopol
19 Gelendzhik
27 Samsun
4 Varna
12 Yalta
20 Dzhoubga
28 Bafra
5 Balchik
13 Kerch
21 Sochi
29 Gerze
6 Mangalia
14 Mariupol
22 Poti
30 Zonguldak
7 Constantza and Mamaia
15 Taganrog
23 Batumi
31 Eregli
8 Odessa and Ilyichevsk
16 Rostov-na-Donu
24 Trabzon
32 Istanbul
Taken from: Birkun (2002 b) based on Vylkanov et al. (1983), Black Sea Transboundary Diagnostic
Analysis (1997), Bilyavsky et al. (1998), Kerestecioğlu et al. (1998) and Mee and Topping, (1999).
As a result of huge inflow from rivers, the mean salinity of the Black Sea (18‰) is less than a half
that of the Mediterranean. It rises up to 21-27‰ at a depth below 300 m, however it falls
seasonally and even as low as 2-8‰ in some spots of the northwestern area. The presence of a
halocline at a depth of 100-200 m is a distinctive hydrological feature of the Black Sea. Azov's
waters are lower in salinity (11.7‰ on average), being almost fresh (1-8‰) in the Gulf of Taganrog.
At the same time, the waters in the Marmara Sea are more saline than in the Black Sea, averaging
22‰ at the surface with a gradual increase of salinity closer to the bottom and towards the
Çanakkale Strait.
The range of water temperatures at the surface of the Black Sea extends from –1.2ºC in winter to
+31ºC in summer with the mean annual level varying from 12ºC in the northwest to 16ºC in the
southeast of the basin. The thermocline (7.2-8.6ºC) is situated at a depth between 50 and 150 m.
The waters below 500 m have a constant temperature of about 9ºC. During frosty winters the
10
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
shallow waters with low salinity become coated with ice. That is more or less typical for the
northwestern coastal area and for the Sea of Azov.
The Black Sea is stratified into the superficial layer of oxygenated waters and the deeper column
of anoxic waters saturated by high concentrations (0.2-9.6 mg/l) of dissolved hydrogen sulphide
(H2S). A transitional interlayer between those strata lies at a depth between 100 and 250 m with
some topographic, seasonal and annual fluctuations. Thus, about 87-90% of the Black Sea water
volume forms a "dead" zone unfit for aerobic life and inhabited almost exclusively by specific
anaerobic bacteria. Consequently, only the upper 10-13% of the water mass represents the most
suitable conditions for most marine organisms and, therefore, sustains the biodiversity.
The pronounced horizontal stratification of the Black Sea water column, caused by hydrophysical
and hydrochemical factors (gradients of temperature, salinity, oxygenation and saturation with H2S)
suggests different density of water mass on the margins and within all these strata. Thus, it could
be supposed that the distribution of ML is also stratified in the sea in accordance with density (or
flotation ability) of different ML items. It is generally understood that the most dense ML objects
sink and accumulate on the sea bottom, while the the least dense ones drift on the sea surface
and in time, sooner or later, become washed ashore. The third group of ML items (probably, vastly
numerous in its absolute number) is suspended in the water column between the surface and
bottom. The hypothesis of ML stratification consists in selective horizontal accumulation of certain
suspended ML items following the thermocline, halocline and transitional layer between the
oxygenated and anoxic waters.
1.3. SOCIAL ECOLOGY AND ANTHROPOGENIC THREATS
The Black Sea is bordered by six riparian countries – by Ukraine to the north, Russia to the
northeast, Georgia to the east, Turkey to the south, and Bulgaria and Romania to the west (see Fig.
1.2). The Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait are surrounded by Ukraine and Russia. The Sea of
Marmara, Istanbul Strait and Çanakkale Strait (i.e. Dardanelles) represent the inland waters of
Turkey known as the Turkish Straits System.
Most coastal territories are densely populated and even overpopulated especially during touristic
season (summer). According to different estimates, based on the national census statistics,
permanent human population distributed along the Black Sea shores came to 16-20 millions in the
1990s, and an extra 4-12 million per year were represented by tourists (Zaitsev and Mamaev, 1997;
Bilyavsky et al., 1998; Kerestecioğlu et al., 1998). However, these figures do not include people
inhabiting the coasts of the Azov and Marmara Seas, as well as the citizens of Istanbul, the largest
Black Sea urban agglomeration situated on both the European and Asian sides of the Istanbul
Strait and containing the resident population of around 14 million (Berkun et al., 2005) and a great
number of migrants and visitors. At the end of the 20th century, total population in the Black Sea
catchment area was about 160-171 millions, and the living activities of all these people in some
way or other affected the Black Sea environment (Mee, 1992; Readman et al., 1999) and,
presumably, contributed to ML problem.
The Black Sea and contiguous waters are used for shipping, fishing (along with a limited amount
of aquaculture), mineral exploitation, tourism, recreation, military exercises and for liquid and solid
waste disposal. In addition, the seabed and the catchment area are under permanent pressure
from other human activities, including urban development, industry, hydro- and nuclear energetics,
agriculture and land-improvement. Three principal groups of anthropogenic threats to the Black
Sea environment could be listed as follows;
•
various kinds of pollution;
•
physical modification of the seabed, coasts and rivers; and
•
irretrievable direct take of natural wealth including the (over)exploitation of mineral and
living resources.
11
1.
THE BLACK SEA ENVIRONMENT IN VIEW OF MARINE LITTER PROBLEM
Human-associated contamination of the oxygenated water layer is considered as a primary threat
and the greatest environmental problem for the Black Sea region (Mee, 1992; BS SAP, 1996;
Black Sea Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis, 1997; Mee and Topping, 1999). The main sources
of chronic seawater pollution are represented by focal land-based outfalls, river run-off, coastal
nonpoint (diffuse) sources, atmospheric fall-out, intentional and accidental inputs from vessels
(Table 1.1). According to Mee (1992), the threat to the Black Sea from land-based sources is
potentially greater than in any other sea of the world (see Fig. 1.2). Many coastal municipalities
and industries discharge their wastes directly to the sea with inadequate or no treatment.
Nevertheless, the rivers of the basin are responsible for most of the pollution (Tuncer et al., 1998).
They are strongly contaminated with industrial and mining wastes (Readman et al., 1999) and
transfer a huge amount of nutrients that originate primarily from agriculture (Zaitsev and Mamaev,
1997; Mee et al., 2005). The impacts of the diffuse coastal, airborne and vessel-sourced pollution
are the least investigated, but believed to be significant. Irrespective of sources, anthropogenic
pollution of the Black Sea is subdivided into: (a) contamination related to various chemical
substances (nutrients, crude oil and petroleum products, persistent synthetic pollutants and trace
elements); (b) radioactive contamination; (c) pollution by solid wastes; and (d) biological pollution
including microbial contamination and introduction of alien species of marine organisms (see
Table 1.1). The ML problem is originated almost completely from the problem of solid waste
pollution.
Table 1.1. Types and sources of pollution in the Black Sea
Types of pollution
Sources of pollution
Stationary River
landrun-off
based
a
outfalls
Contamination with chemicals:
• nutrients and organic matter
• oil and petroleum products
• persistent organic pollutants
• trace elements
Radioactive contamination
Marine litter (solid waste)
pollution
Biological pollution:
• microbial/faecal
contamination
• introduction of exotic species
b
Coastal Atmospheri Ships and
d
diffuse
c fall-out
marine
c
sources
platforms
e
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
?
+
+
+
– industrial liquid wastes and insufficiently treated or untreated sewage from coastal cities and settlements;
b
– inputs from the agriculture, industry, mining and municipal sewage from the whole Black Sea drainage
area;
c
– inputs from the agriculture, animal husbandry and unmanaged tourism mainly through the run-off from
land (coastal pluvial effluents and ground waters);
d
– inputs from various sources of air pollution (smokes, fumes, dust, exhaust gases) no matter where in the
world;
e
– dumping of solid waste, explosives and dredged matter; discharge of untreated sewage and ballast waters;
oil spills; lost fishing nets; introduction of alien marine organisms owing to the biofouling.
a
It is generally acknowledged that the Black Sea and its coasts are subjected to high levels of solid
wastes pollution (Mee and Topping, 1999), although very few special studies of its extensiveness,
sources and patterns have yet been made (see Section 5). Marine dumping had been known for
all Black Sea coastal states for years although the specifically highlighted by some authors for
Turkey and Georgia. (Mee and Topping, 1999; Yıldırım et al., 2004; Berkun et al., 2005). In spite of
prohibition for dumping wastes in the sea currently existing in the Black Sea coastal states
(except for dredged spoils) the illegal dumping still takes place. Due to specific features of very
12
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
narrow strips of Georgian and Turkish coasts the problems of washing down of landfills content
into the sea certainly are most severely expressed. The sites of explosive objects disposal are
mapped off the Crimea (Ukraine) and in the Gulf of Taganrog (Russia). Navigation charts reflect
also the distribution of sunken vessels and other scrap metal over the shelf area.
Floating ML and uncontrolled fishing nets represent particular threat to marine mammals (Zaitsev,
1998) which sometimes ingest inedible things and may get themselves entangled. A number of
foreign bodies have been collected from stomachs of Black Sea common dolphins (Delphinus
delphis): coal slag, pieces of wood and paper, bird feathers, cherry stones, and even a bunch of
roses (Kleinenberg, 1956).
Widespread distribution of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Black and Azov
Seas can be considered as a peculiar source of ML pollution. That is true indeed regarding
countless illegal nets and nets which were discarded or abandoned causing the so-called “ghost
fishing”. High concentrations of fixed and floating IUU fishing gear in coastal and shelf areas result
in the reduction of habitat space, formation of obstacles on migration ways and enhancement of
incidental mortality (by-catch) of cetaceans, fishes and crustaceans. Although no special research
on the abandoned nets has been conducted in the Black Sea region, the problem of “ghost
fishing”, undoubtedly, exists at least in the northwestern Black Sea shelf area. In particular, a total
of 194 dead dolphins and harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) along with 18,424 turbots
(Psetta maeotica), 143 sturgeons (Acipenser spp.), 401 spiny dogfishes (Squalus acanthias) and
1,359 rays (Raja clavata and Dasyatis pastinaca) were found entangled in 6,416 bottom-set
gillnets approximately 640 km long which were arrested in spring 1991 in the Ukrainian waters
(Birkun, 2002 a). In April 2002, 35 bycaught harbour porpoises were recorded in the abandoned
illegal gill- and trammel nets (30.2 km) in the exclusive economic zone of Romania (Radu et al.,
2003). Some additional information on the “ghost fishing” in the Istanbul Strait is presented in
Section 5.1.1, E of this report.
1.4. MARINE AND SEASHORE AREAS OF THE BLACK SEA
STATES
National Consultants on ML problem presented basic reference data regarding maritime areas
and seashores of the Black Sea riparian states (Table 1.2). This information is necessary for
recognizing possible spread of ML in each country and, therefore, for planning ML research,
monitoring and cleanup activities at the national level. Appropriate maps and schemes can be
found in Annex 2.
The National Consultants summarized also available information on the coasts which are difficult
of access for the purposes of ML monitoring and cleanup operations:
Bulgaria: There are certain areas (which are high and rocky; around 50 km in total) that are
difficult of access or not accessible from the beach. They are: the coast in Kaliakra, Balgarevo and
Kavarna, rocky coast south of Kranevo, some areas near villages Shkorpilovci, Byala and Obzor,
part of Cape Emine, coast between resort complex “Elenite” and St. Vlas; between Sozopol and
Rezovska river the slopes of Strandzha Mountain form a number of small rocky capes.
Georgia: There are no municipal infrastructure and any service relevant to ML or solid waste
management along the seashore between Poti and Gali (50 km; 1,8 km2), however, this section of
the coast could be accessible for the most part if relevant service is established.
Romania: Inaccessible sections of the seacoast are present in the Danube delta.
Russia: Cliffy and abrupt sites, sometimes impassable, are common on the Russian Black Sea
coast, particularly, round the Abrau peninsula, between capes Panagia and Zhelezny Rog, Cape
Doob and Golubaya bay, Gelendzhik bay and Dzhoubga settlement as well as in the outskirts of
Tuapse city (e.g., capes Guavga and Kadosh). Overall length of these difficult sections of the
coast comes to 120 km. Steep coasts, which are difficult of access, are present also in the Azov
13
1.
THE BLACK SEA ENVIRONMENT IN VIEW OF MARINE LITTER PROBLEM
Sea and Kerch Strait areas. They include lengthy sections of the northern and southern coasts of
the Gulf of Taganrog (over 130 km); seashore between Dolgaya and Kamyshevatskaya spits (25
km) and between the latter one and Yasenskaya spit (20 km); some sections of the northern and
southern coasts of the Taman peninsula (between Peresyp and Ilyich settlements – about 33 km,
and between capes Tuzla and Panagia – 8 km). Moreover, hard-to-reach marshy coasts are
peculiar to the Azov Sea and Kerch Strait area: the entire seaside of the Don delta (about 20 km);
some plots of seashore of the Kuban delta (40 km); the eastern and southern coasts of Choushka
spit along with other swamped sites around Taman Gulf and Dinskoy bay (25 km).
Turkey: There are coastal areas which are difficult of access (mainly the indented coastline with
vertical rocky shores in places) between the Bulgarian border and Igneada (e.g., Igneada Longoz
located 15 km south from Bulgaria); between Bartın and Amasra and to the east of Amasra; in the
neighborhood of Cide and Doğanyurt; between Catalzeytin and Ayancik; and between Gerze and
Alacam.
Ukraine: Sizeable lengths of the seacoast of the Danube delta, Dnieper-and-Boug liman,
Tendrovsky, Yagorlytsky, Karkinitsky and Dzarylgachsky bays, lake Sivash, and coastal wetlands
of the northern Azov Sea are difficult of access because of reedy and waterlogged shoreline in
places. Besides, impassable and almost impassable sites (precipices, rocky chaoses and screes)
are situated in some places round Crimea (e.g., along the Tarkhankut peninsula, capes Fiolent,
Aya, Sarych, Ayudag, Meganom, Kazantip, mountains Karadag and Opuk).
Table 1.2. Characteristics of Black Sea maritime and seashore areas of the riparian countries
Bulgaria
Georgia
Romania
Maritime areas, km
internal waters
territorial sea
exclusive economic
zone
shelf area (0−200 m
deep)
Russia
Turkey
Ukraine
–
5,640 d
30,189.6
24,000 e
172,991.3
91,000 e
19,360.4
48,600
–
n.d.
0–1,987
n.d.
2
1,474
42.7 a
58 b
80 c
6,506
1,204
5,270
7,800 e
25,699
5,875
≈12,000
≈40,000
10,886
n.d.
n.d.
3,800
e
Depth range, m
internal waters
territorial sea
exclusive economic
zone
0–55
0–11
n.d.
0–10 f
e
17–85
0–295
0–20
0–1,500
40–130
200–1,900
20–100
200–2,200
up to 2,267
n.d.
Coasts
coastline in total, km
seashore area in
total, km2
378
316.7
244
400 g
1,446.2
1,802 h
6,429
11.2
≈750
70 g
n.d.
n.d.
a
– Batumi, Poti and Supsa areas;
– Danube delta;
c
– Besides, Russian internal waters in the Kerch Strait and Azov Sea come to 5,370 km2;
d
– Besides, Ukrainian internal waters in the Kerch Strait and Azov Sea come to some thousands km2;
e
– The delimitation of exclusive economic zones between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea is expected in
the future. This also concerns territorial waters of both countries in the Azov Sea and Kerch Strait (these
areas and relevant depths are not included in the table);
f
– A depth of Russian internal waters in the Kerch Strait and Azov Sea does not exceed 5 and 6 m,
respectively;
g
– In addition, Russian coastline and seashore area in the Kerch Strait and Azov Sea come to 460 km and 75
km2;
h
– This figure concerns the Black Sea coast only but not the Ukrainian coasts in the Kerch Strait and Azov
Sea;
n.d. – no data were presented by the National Consultants.
b
14
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
2.
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUMENTS
ML is part of the broader problem of solid waste management which is closely linked to major
problems of public health, conservation of the environment, and sustainable development in the
Black Sea region. ML originates from various land- and sea-based sources as a result of manifold
human activities and, evidently, causes multivectorial negative impact on the population, wild life,
abiotic nature and some sectors of economy. Floating ML and ML items suspended in the water
are transported by currents and winds throughout the sea and, thereby, cause transboundary
dissemination of solid wastes and basin-wide enlargement of the problem.
Therefore, Black Sea ML is a matter of regulation to some extent (but so far always incompletely)
by a series of legal acts aimed to harmonize relevant activities on the international, regional and
national levels. However, up till now there is no any jural instrument dedicated specifically to the
management of ML problem in the Black Sea marine and coastal environment. Moreover, the
concept of ML problem and “marine litter” itself, as a law-term in its proper definition (UNEP, 2005;
see Introduction), are not accepted nor it is well-known yet in the Black Sea community.
2.1. INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL LEGAL INSTRUMENTS
A list of international and regional instruments which are relevant (directly or indirectly) to and can
be used for the prevention and mitigation of the Black Sea ML problem is presented in Table 2.1.
The Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (the Bucharest
Convention, 1992) is predestined to prevent, reduce and control any kind of pollution within the
territorial sea and exclusive economic zone of all Black Sea states, with peculiar emphasis on
such kinds of pollution as:
•
pollution by hazardous substances and matter (Article VI);
•
pollution from land-based sources (Article VII and the Protocol on the Protection of
the Black Sea Marine Environment Against Pollution from Land-based Sources);
•
pollution from vessels (Article VIII);
•
pollution caused by emergency situations (Article IX and the Protocol on
•
Cooperation in Combating Pollution of the Black Sea by Oil and Other Harmful
•
Substances in Emergency Situations);
•
pollution by dumping (Article X and the Protocol on the Protection of the Black Sea
•
Marine Environment Against Pollution by Dumping);
•
pollution from activities on the continental shelf (Article XI);
•
pollution from or through the atmosphere (Article XII); and
•
pollution by hazardous wastes in transboundary movement (Article XIV).
Most above articles and protocols are applicable to restrain the ML problem. Three lists of
hazardous substances and matter, which are annexed to the Convention and to the Protocols on
the Pollution from Land-based Sources and by Dumping, include “persistent synthetic materials
which may float, sink or remain in suspension” or, in other words, –those materials which
constitute plastic ML.
In accordance with the Protocol on the Pollution from Land-based Sources, the Black Sea states
should prevent, reduce and control pollution caused by discharges from any sources on their
territories such as rivers, canals, coastal establishments, other artificial structures, outfalls or runoff, etc. Each Black Sea state should also carry out “monitoring activities in order to assess the
15
2.
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUMENTS
levels of pollution, its sources and ecological effects along its coasts”, in particular, with regard to
the hazardous substances and matter (e.g., persistent synthetic materials).
Table 2.1. Participation of Black Sea states in the conventions and international agreements
which are relevant to the management and mitigation of ML problem
Title of convention or
agreement
Convention on the Protection of
the Black Sea Against Pollution
(Bucharest Convention)
International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution from Ships
(MARPOL 73/78)
Annex V to MARPOL 73/78
(optional annex covering garbage;
the Black Sea is designated as a
Special Area with regard to this
annex)
Convention for the Prevention of
Marine Pollution by Dumping of
Wastes and Other Matter (London
Convention)
Convention on the Transboundary
Movements of Hazardous Wastes
and Their Disposal (Basel
Convention)
United Nations Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD)
Convention on the Conservation of
European Wildlife and Natural
Habitats (Bern Convention)
Convention on the Conservation of
Migratory Species of Wild Animals
(CMS, Bonn Convention)
Agreement on the Conservation of
Cetaceans of the Black Sea,
Mediterranean Sea and
Contiguous Atlantic Area
(ACCOBAMS)
Date of entering into force
Bulgaria Georgia Romania Russia Turkey Ukraine*
15.01.94
12.01.94
29.09.92
12.08.93
06.03.94
14.02.94
19.05.05
08.02.95
18.03.93
03.11.83
10.10.90
25.01.94
19.05.05
08.02.95
30.08.01
31.12.88
31.12.88
17.10.89
24.02.06
no
no
29.01.76
no
06.03.76
16.05.96
18.08.99
26.01.91
01.05.95
22.06.94
01.07.99
16.07.96
31.08.94
02.08.94
29.12.93
14.02.97
01.07.99
01.05.91
no
25.03.93
no
01.09.84
29.10.96
01.11.99
01.01.00
26.01.98
no
no
19.03.99
01.06.01
01.01.00
30.05.00
no
no
09.07.03
* Dates of ratification of the international treaties.
The Protocol on the Pollution by Dumping prohibits dumping in the Black Sea of wastes or other
matter which contain the hazardous substances. At the same time, “dumping in the Black Sea of
all other wastes or matter requires a prior general permit from the competent national authorities.”
Such permits may be issued after consideration of (a) characteristics and composition of the
matter intended for dumping, (b) characteristics of the proposed dumping site and disposal
method, and (c) possible negative effects of the dumping and practical availability of alternative
disposal methods. The Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (BSC)
should be informed by the contracting parties about such national permits as well as about all
casual dumping events forced by emergency situations.
In some way, the ML problem can be managed also through the Black Sea Biodiversity and
Landscape Conservation Protocol to the Bucharest Convention (Sofia, 2002). In accordance with
16
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
this protocol (Article 11, §4), the Black Sea states should “co-operate in developing and
harmonising their laws, regulations and procedures relating to liability, assessment of and
compensation for damage caused by human activities and/or pollution of the marine environment
of the Black Sea, in order to ensure the highest degree of deterrence and protection for the
biological and landscape diversity of the Black Sea as a whole”. The scope of this protocol
embraces maritime and coastal areas of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Regarding the pollution from vessels, the Bucharest Convention (Article VIII) demands from the
contracting parties the observance of generally accepted international rules and standards.
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (London, 1973 and
1978 [protocol]; MARPOL 73/78) is the basic convention aimed at combatting pollution from the
shipping. This instrument regulates quantities of various wastes that vessels may discharge into
the sea. The Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships (Annex V to the
Convention) has a special relation to the ML problem because any garbage or solid waste thrown
out overboard can be considered as ML. This annex specifies distances from land and methods
by which different types of garbage may be disposed from all kinds of vessels and fixed or floating
platforms. The disposal/dumping of any plastics (including but not limited to synthetic ropes,
synthetic fishing gear and plastic garbage bags) is completely prohibited. The disposal of dunnage,
lining and packing materials (other than plastics) is prohibited if the distance from the nearest land
is less than 25 nautical miles. The disposal of food wastes and all other non-plastic garbage
(including paper, rags, glass, metal, bottles, crockery and similar refuse) is prohibited if the
distance from the nearest land is less than 12 nautical miles.
According to Regulation 5 of Annex V, the Black Sea is defined as a Special Area1 with much
stricter requirements on the disposal of garbage than in many other maritime areas of the world.
Any discharges of garbage (except food waste) are prohibited here. However, the garbage
discharge requirements for a region that has been designated as a Special Area (e.g., the Black
Sea area) will not enter into force until adequate garbage reception facilities are provided by all
riparian countries in their ports and harbours.
Following MARPOL 73/78 and its amendments, vessels of 400 gross tons and above, or ships
certified to carry more than 15 persons should develop a garbage management plan including;
•
decription of the collection, processing, storage and disposal procedures of each type
of waste produced by the ship (including hazardous and medical wastes);
•
a list of waste management techniques and equipment that are in use on the ship;
•
provisions for the discharge and record of garbage (e.g., garbage record book);
•
designation of a person responsible for carrying out the plan.
The Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other
Matter (the London Convention, 1972) is destined to control the pollution by wastes and dredged
spoils which are loaded on ships for the intentional purpose of dumping them at sea. In contrast
to MARPOL 73/78, this Convention does not address wastes that have been produced during the
normal operation of ships. Annex 1 to the Convention lists wastes and other matter that must not
be dumped (dumping them is prohibited), including such potential ML items as “persistent
plastics and other persistent synthetic materials, for example, netting and ropes, which may float
or may remain in suspension in the sea”. It is recognized by the contracting parties that plastic
materials and other materials that may cause problems of entanglement and ingestion by marine
organisms constitute an environmental hazard (UNEP, 2005).
Article 45 of the Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea (BS
SAP, 1996) envisages that the Black Sea states will consider amending the Protocol on the
1
“Special area” means a sea area where for recognized technical reasons in relation to its oceanographical and ecological
condition and to the particular character of its traffic the adoption of special mandatory methods for the prevention of sea
pollution by garbage is required (MARPOL 73/78, Annex V, Regulation 1(3)).
17
2.
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUMENTS
Pollution by Dumping to the Bucharest Convention in accordance with the London Convention.
The Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution confirmed this intention in
2002 and adopted some actions required (BSC, 2002):
•
promoting ratification of the London Convention by the Black Sea states, and
•
relevant amending the Protocol on Dumping to the Bucharest Convention before the
next Ministerial Meeting in 2007.
The Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and
Their Disposal (the Basel Convention, 1989) deals with problems of transboundary movements
and environmentally sound management of hazardous wastes and other wastes. Annex 1 to the
Convention lists 45 categories of wastes to be controlled, including, for instance, “Y1: Clinical
wastes from medical care in hospitals, medical centers and clinics”. Annex 2 defines two
categories of wastes requiring special consideration: “Y46: Wastes collected from households”
and “Y47: Residues arising from the incineration of household wastes”. It is very likely that
hazardous ML from land-based sources falls under the scope of the Convention mainly (but not
only) under the categories of wastes requiring special consideration (wastes of household origin).
Plastic wastes should be considred as a “Basel” wastes if they possess any hazardous
characteristics as identified in Annex III of the Convention (e.g., explosive, flammable, ecotoxic,
etc.) or contain Annex I material to an extent causing them to exhibit an Annex III characteristic.
Such potentially hazardous wastes are classified in Annex IX, List B of the Convention (e.g.,
“B1115: Waste metal cables coated or insulated with plastics”; “B1180: Waste photographic film
containing silver”; a long list of “B3010: Solid plastic waste”).
A number of Technical Guidelines for the Environmentally Sound Management of hazardous and
other wastes, adopted by the parties to the Basel Convention, would be relevant to the ML
problem (UNEP, 2005), such as:
•
Technical Guidelines on Wastes Collected from Households;
•
Technical Guidelines on Specially Engineered Landfill; and
•
Technical Guidelines for the Identification and Environmentally Sound Management of
Plastic Waste and for their Disposal.
In 1999, the Basel Declaration on Environmentally Sound Management was signed by the parties.
This document is intended to improve implementation of the Convention in fields of the prevention,
minimization, recycling, recovery and disposal of hazardous and other wastes, particularly, by
means of the enhancement of institutional and technical capabilities, especially in developing
countries and countries with economies in transition. The Strategic Plan for the Implementation of
the Basel Convention was adopted at the 6th Conference of the Parties (2002).
Some other international instruments have indirect relation to the control of ML problem.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD; Rio de Janeiro, 1992) concerns the protection,
management and sustainable use of the biodiversity in general, and its subsidiary programme
called “Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity” (1995; work program – 1998,
updated in 2004) is concentrated on relevant issues in the marine and coastal environment,
including some ML-related aspects such as (UNEP, 2005): the smothering of the seabed; effects
of entanglement and ingestion of litter on fish, marine mammals and seabirds; dissemination of
alien species (ML as a vector for transport of invasive species). The Convention on the
Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (the Bern Convention, 1979) is an
instrument in the field of nature conservation, which covers the whole of the natural heritage of the
European continent. Its aims are to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats and to
promote European co-operation in that field. The Convention is a fundamental treaty at European
level for biological diversity; it co-ordinates the action of European states in adopting common
standards and policies for the sustainable use of biodiversity. The parties of the Convention
should include all appropriate measures in their planning and development policies and pollution
control, with obvious attention to the ML issues among other environmental problems. In 2004,
18
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
the Strasbourg Declaration on the role of the Bern Convention in the preservation of biological
diversity was adopted. The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild
Animals (CMS or the Bonn Convention, 1979) aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian
migratory species throughout their range. It is an intergovernmental treaty, concluded under the
aegis of the UNEP, concerned with the conservation of wildlife and habitats on a global scale.
Migratory species which can be threatened with extinction are listed in Appendix I of the
Convention. Two species of Black Sea animals – the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus
monachus) and sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) – are inserted into CMS Appendix I. The parties that
are range states of these species should endeavour;
a)
to conserve and, where feasible and appropriate, restore those habitats of the species
which are of importance in removing the species from danger of extinction;
b)
to prevent, remove, compensate for or minimize, as appropriate, the adverse effects
of activities or obstacles that seriously impede or prevent the migration of the species;
and
c)
to the extent feasible and appropriate, to prevent, reduce or control factors that are
endangering or are likely to further endanger the species, including strictly controlling
the introduction of, or controlling or eliminating, already introduced exotic species.
Migratory species that need or would significantly benefit from international co-operation are
listed in Appendix II of the Convention. All three species/populations of Black Sea cetaceans –
the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
and common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) – along with the Mediterranean monk seal
(M. monachus) and six species of sturgeons (Huso huso, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, A. nudiventris,
A. ruthenus [Danube population], A. stellatus and A. sturio) are listed in CMS Appendix II. The
Convention encourages the range states to conclude regional agreements for the protection of
such species. In this respect, CMS acts as a framework convention. Following this option, the
Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and
Contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS; Monaco, 1996) has been concluded under the auspices
of CMS, and most Black Sea countries (except Russia and Turkey) are at present the parties of
the Agreement. Significantly, that membership is also open to non-coastal states outside the
Agreement area ("third countries") whose vessels are engaged in activities that may affect Black
Sea and Mediterranean cetaceans. ACCOBAMS aims to reduce threats to all cetaceans in these
waters and to promote closer cooperation amongst the parties with a view to conserving all
cetacean species present in the area. The Conservation Plan (Annex 2 of the Agreement) includes
a series of measures linked to ML problem in the Black Sea region. For example, the parties
should:
•
introduce or amend regulations with a view to preventing fishing gear from being
discarded or left adrift at sea;
•
regulate the discharge at sea of, and adopt within the framework of other appropriate
legal instruments stricter standards for, pollutants believed to have adverse effects on
cetaceans;
•
collect and analyse data on direct and indirect interactions between humans and
cetaceans in relation to inter alia fishing, industrial and touristic activities, and landbased and maritime pollution; and take appropriate remedial measures and develop
guidelines and/or codes of conduct to regulate or manage such activities.
In accordance with basic norms of international law, national legislation of the parties to above
multilateral conventions/agreements should be brought to conformity with these instruments.
19
2.
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUMENTS
2.2. NATIONAL LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUMENTS
National consultants on ML indicated that the ML problem is addressed to some extent in their
countries by a number of instruments concerned with various fields of public administration, social
life and different human activities (Table 2.2).
Table 2.2. Presence of ML-related items in national legal and administrative instruments
regulating different human activities
National instruments
concerning:
Bulgaria Georgia Romania Russia
• protection of the
environment
• public health
• coastal and urban
development
• marine and riverine traffic
• fishery and aquaculture
• tourism and recreation
• offshore gas and oil
exploitation
• agriculture and farming
• industry (various branches)
• protection of state
boundaries
• military (defence) activities
• criminal and administrative
offences
Turkey
Ukraine
yes
yes
yes
Yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Yes
yes
yes
yes
no
yes
Yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Yes
yes
yes
no
yes
no
Yes
yes
yes
no
yes
no
No
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
No
yes
yes
yes
no
yes
No
yes
yes
no
yes
yes
Yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Yes
yes
yes
Most national legislative acts, dealing with ML issues, and relevant documents generated by
central governments are listed in Table 2.3.
Table 2.3. National legal acts and central government documents relevant to the
management of ML problem
Country
Title of legal act
Date of
entering into
force
Bulgaria
Water Act
28.01.2000
Territorial Development Act
31.03.2001
Law on fishing and aquacultures
Georgia
2001
Law on Biological Diversity
09.08.2002
Environmental Protection Act
25.09.2002
Waste Management Act
30.09.2003
Act on Sea Areas, Inner Water Ways and Ports (last amendment on 26.05.2006)
23.03.2004
Law on Human Health
01.01.2005
Merchant Shipping Code
27.12.2005
Code of Administrative Offences (with subsequent amendments)
15.12.1984
Law on the Environmental Protection
10.12.1996
Maritime Code
15.05.1997
Law on Water
17.10.1997
Law on Public Health
10.12.1997
20
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Country
Title of legal act
Date of
entering into
force
Law on the Maritime Areas
24.12.1998
Sanitary Code
08.05.2003
Law on Wastes (drafted but not adopted yet)
–
Romania Water Law (#107/1996; amended on 30.06.04, #310/2004)
08.10.1996
Russia
Turkey
Ukraine
Ordinance of urgency on wastes system/policy (#78/2000)
Law on the approval of the Ordinance of urgency on wastes system/policy
(#426/2001)
22.06.2000
25.07.2001
Law on the approval of financing contract for the Project on the Environment and
Infrastructure in the Port of Constantsa (#517/2001)
24.10.2001
Ordinance of urgency on the integrated management of costal zone (#202/2002)
Law on the approval of the Ordinance of urgency on the integrated management
of costal zone (#280/2003)
28.12.2002
26.06.2003
Government decision on the control of bringing in Romania the non-hazardous
wastes for their import, active improvement and transit (#228/2004)
04.03.2004
Government decision on the approval of the Regulations for organization and
operation of the National Committee of Costal Zone (#1015/2004)
08.07.2004
Government decision on the establishment of the environmental assessment
procedure for plans and programmes (#1076/2004)
05.08.2004
Government decision on the approval of National strategy and National plan for
waste management (#1470/2004)
18.10.2004
Government decision regarding the landfill waste disposal (#349/2005)
10.06.2005
Ordinance of urgency on the integrated prevention and pollution control
(#152/2005)
10.11.2005
Ordinance of urgency on the environmental protection (#195/2005)
30.01.2006
Water Code
16.11.1995
Law on the Continental Shelf of the Russian Federation
30.11.1995
Law on the Waste Production and Consumption
24.06.1998
Law on the Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare of the Population
30.03.1999
Law on the Protection of the Environment
10.01.2002
Law of the Harbour
20.04.1925
Law of the Public Hygiene
06.05.1930
Law of the Turkish Coast Guard Command
13.07.1982
Law on the Organization, Duties and Authority of the Gendarmerie
10.03.1983
Law on the Environment (amended in 2006)
11.08.1983
Law of the Coast (amended in 1992)
17.04.1990
Decree Law on establishment/functions of the Ministry of Environment
09.08.1991
Decree Law on establishment/functions of the Undersecretariat for Maritime
Affairs
19.08.1993
Decree Law on Organization/Functions of the Ministry of Environment and
Forestry
08.05.2003
Law of the Metropolitan Municipality
10.07.2004
Turkish Criminal Code
26.09.2004
Law on the Response and Coverage of Damages in Emergency Situations
caused by Pollution of the Marine Environment by Oil and Other Harmful
Substances
11.03.2005
Law of the Municipality
03.07.2005
Code of Administrative Offences (#8074-10; with subsequent amendments)
07.12.1984
Law on the Protection of the Environment (#1268-XII)
26.06.1991
Principle Legislation on Public Health
1992
21
2.
Country
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUMENTS
Title of legal act
Date of
entering into
force
Law on the assurance of sanitary and epidemiological wellbeing of the population
24.02.1994
Code of Trading Navigation (#277/94)
09.12.1994
Water Code (amended in 2000)
06.06.1995
Resolution of the Cabinent of Ministers “On the adoption of rates for the
estimation of compensation and harmfulness caused by pollution from ships and
other floating facilities in territorial and internal marine waters of Ukraine” (#484d)
Resolution of the Cabinent of Ministers “An order for the estimation of
compensation and harmfulness caused by contamination from ships and other
floating facilities in territorial and internal marine waters of Ukraine” (#116)
03.07.1995
26.10.1995
Law on Waste (#187/98; amended in 2001)
05.03.1998
Resolution of the Cabinent of Ministers on the “Rules for the protection of surface
waters from the pollution by waste waters” (#431; amended in 2002)
1999
Law on the adoption of the National Programme for the Protection and Recovery
of the Environment of the Azov and Black Seas (#2333-ІІІ)
22.03.2001
Resolution of the Cabinent of Ministers on the “Rules for the protection of internal
marine waters and territorial sea from pollution and littering” (#269)
31.03.2001
The subordinate administrative documents relevant to ML items are presented in Table 2.4.
Table 2.4. Administrative instruments regulating ML problem on subordinate (ministerial,
province, district, municipal, harbor, etc.) levels
Country
Title of document
Date of
entering into
force
Bulgaria
Decree #87 on the Ratification of the Convention on Environmental Impact
Assessment in Transboundary Context
23.03.1995
Guidelines for the development of waste management programs (Protocol #4)
02.04.1998
Rules obligatory for the region under the jurisdiction of “Marine Administration”
Executive Agency (Varna and Bourgas)
1998
Regulation on the requirements for treatment and transportation of industrial and
hazardous waste (adopted by Decree of the Council of Ministers #53/1999)
1999
Plan for monitoring of objects on the territory of Port of Varna Ltd.
Regulation on the procedure and manner for establishment of networks and on
the operation of the National Water Monitoring System
Plan for monitoring of objects on the territory of Port of Bourgas Ltd.
1999
21.11.2000
2000
Regulation on the quality of coastal marine waters
25.01.2001
Regulation on the requirements for operational suitability of all, except navy
ports, for qualification of the workforce and for issuing certificates for operational
suitability which comprises requirements concerning adequacy of port reception
facilities and waste reception and handling plans
19.06.2001
Regulation for the activity, organization of work and staff of the Basin
Directorates
29.01.2002
Regulation on the quality of bathing water
25.02.2002
Regulation on the terms and conditions for carrying out environmental impact
assessment
18.03.2003
Regulation #2 on the terms and conditions for carrying out environmental
assessment on national, regional and district development plans and
programmes, on urban development plans and their amendments
18.03.2003
(repealed)
Regulation on the procedure for determination of sanctions for deterioration or
pollution of the environment above the limits
06.09.2003
Ordinance on the waste classification
25.05.2004
22
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Country
Title of document
Date of
entering into
force
Regulation for the activity, organization and staff of the Regional Environmental
Inspectorates
27.07.2004
Ordinance on the conditions and requirements for construction and operation of
incineration-plants and co-incineration plants
07.09.2004
Ordinance on the requirements for sites determined for placing of waste
treatment facilities
17.09.2004
Ordinance on the conditions and requirements for construction and operation of
landfills and other facilities and installations for waste disposal and recovery
24.09.2004
Ordinance on the order and the formats on which information for waste activities
is provided, as for the order for keeping public register of the issued permits,
registration documents and of the closed facilities and operations
26.10.2004
Order of the Minister of Environment and Waters for approval of guidelines for
the development of plans for adjusting the existing landfills in accordance to
regulations (#РД-1242)
24.11.2004
Regulation on the conditions, procedure and methods for environmental
assessment of plans and programs
2004
Regulation on the delivery and reception of ship generated waste and cargo
residues
01.01.2005
Establishment rules of the “Marine Administration” Executive Agency
12.05.2005
Statute for structure and activity of Regional Inspectorates for Protection and
Control of Public Health
Order of the Minister of Environment and Waters for new guidelines for the
development of municipal programs for waste management (#РД-167)
2005
24.03.2006
Regulation concerning the rules and standards for territory-organizing planning of
the Black Sea coast
Order #272 on the categorisation of water sources and water receiving bodies
National Waste Management Program for 2003-2007
National Environmental Strategy and National Action Plan for 2005-2014
National Strategy for Water Sector Management to 2015
National Programme for Priority Construction of Urban WWTPs
National Program for Ports Development
Mandatory Rules for the region under the jurisdiction of the Bulgarian Marine
Administration
Port Waste Management Programs (all ports have such program)
Municipal Waste Management Programs (all municipalities have such program)
Contracts for the concession of beaches along the Black Sea coast
Georgia
Decree of the Ministry of Public Health (#36/n)
24.02.2003
All coastal municipal services and ports act according to sanitary guidelines
developed locally on basis of relevant national legal and administrative
instruments
Romania Government decision #349/2005 regarding the incineration of waste
14.02.2002
Government decision on the establishment of the frame procedure for
environmental impact assessment and on the approval of the list of public or
private projects subjected to that procedure (#918/2002)
17.09.2002
RMTCT order of on the installations for shipyard reception of waste generated on
the ships and residual stuff (#779/2002)
29.11.2002
Government decision on the designation of public authorities in charge of the
control and monitoring of the waste import, export and transit activities
(#1357/2002)
10.12.2002
RMEWM order for the approval of the procedure of environmental impact
assessment and issuing of the environmental agreement (#860/2002)
31.01.2003
23
2.
Country
Russia
Turkey
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUMENTS
Title of document
Date of
entering into
force
RMEWM order on the approval of the methodological guidelines applicable to
the frame procedure of environmental impact assessment (#863/2003)
31.01.2003
RMEWM order for the approval of the procedure of issuing the integrated
environmental authorisation (#818/2003)
13.11.2003
RMEWM order on the approval of the general technical guide for the appliance of
the procedure of issuing the integrated environmental authorisation (#36/2004)
19.01.2004
RMTCT order on the approval of methodological norms regarding authorisation
and classification of tourist activities in the costal zone (#455/2004)
18.03.2004
Order of RMEWM (#2/2004), RMTCT (#211/2004) and RMEC (#118/2004) for the
approval of waste shipping control and regulation procedure on Romanian
territory
15.04.2004
Order of RMEWM (#38-SMI/2004), RMTCT (#1044/2004) and RMPH (#671/2004)
on the approval of the Code of conduct/policy for recreation activities in the
costal zone
15.06.2004
RMEWM order for the approval of the procedure for authorising activities with the
significant environmental impact (#876/2004)
11.01.2005
RMEWM order on the approval of technical norms for waste incineration
(#756/2004)
26.02.2005
RMEWM order on the approval of technical norms for waste disposal (landfill)
(#757/2004)
26.02.2005
RMEWM order regarding the setting-up of criteria and preliminary procedures of
waste acceptance for disposal and the National list of the accepted waste in
each class of waste disposal sites (#95/2005)
08.03.2005
RMEWM order regarding the issuing of environmental permit (note) for ceasing
waste disposal activities, i.e. landfill and incineration (#1274/2005)
28.12.2005
Order of the Committee for Environment Protection on the Federal Catalogue of
Waste Classification (#527)
27.11.1997
Law of Krasnodar Krai [Territories] on Waste Production and Consumption
(#245-KZ)
13.03.2000
Law of Krasnodar Krai [Territories] on Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare of
the Population in Krasnodar Krai” (#497-KZ)
26.06.2002
Law of Krasnodar Krai [Territory] on Natural Healing Resources, Health-improving
Areas and Health Resorts in Krasnodar Krai” (#585-KZ)
03.03.2003
Regulations of Rize harbour
04.12.1980
Regulations on fixing penalties to ships and vessels and procedures to let them
off a penalty
03.11.1987
Regulations on the control of solid waste
14.03.1991
Regulations on the control of medical waste
22.07.2005
Regulations on the control of hazardous waste
14.03.2005
Regulations of Istanbul harbour
06.09.1996
Regulations of Trabzon harbour
12.08.1999
Regulations on environmental impact assessment
16.12.2003
Regulations of ship dismantling
08.03.2004
Regulations on waste purchase service from the vessels
11.03.2004
Regulations on waste control of excavations soil, construction and debris wastes
18.03.2004
Regulations on packaging and packaging waste control
30.07.2004
Regulations on the control of used batteries and accumulators
31.08.2004
Regulations on reception of waste from the ships and waste control
26.12.2004
Regulations on the control of water pollution
31.12.2004
Regulations on urban wastewater treatment
08.01.2006
Regulations on bathing waters
09.01.2006
24
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Country
Ukraine
Title of document
Date of
entering into
force
UMPH order on the approval of the State sanitary rules and norms on coastal
marine water protection against pollution in the places of population water use
(#631-88)
06.07.1988
UMPH order on the approval of the State sanitary rules and norms on surface
water protection against pollution (#4630-88)
01.01.1989
UMPH order on the approval of the State sanitary rules and norms on waste
water, oil-contained and ballast water and litter discharge from vessels (#199-97)
09.07.1997
UMTC Rules of Registration of Operations with Harmful Substances on Ships,
Marine Installations and Ports (# 452/5643)
10.04.2001
Regulations on Ports of Ukraine
The detailed comparative analysis of above national instruments (which are numerous and
heterogeneous indeed) and verification of their conformity with respective international and
regional legal acts represent special tasks overstepping capabilities of this report. Certainly, this
analytical work should be done in the future, and appropriate recommendations on the
harmonization and improvement of national legislation should appear as a result. Nevertheless, it
seems pertinent to underline at least five important points reflecting present situation;
1)
all six Black Sea states are in transition process of developing and updating their
national instruments aimed at combatting marine pollution including ML (or solid
waste) component;
2)
actual rate of this process and concrete instruments developed are quite different in
different countries;
3)
however, general trends of this process regarding the ML problem are common in all
Black Sea states: (a) to prohibit any deliberate discharge of potential ML at sea and on
the shore-strip; (b) to improve solid waste collection, processing, storage, disposal
and recycling facilities; and (c) to enhance governmental control of activities
mentioned in (a) and (b);
4)
national policies in the Black Sea states are aimed at waste minimization, reuse,
recycling and recovery of landfills. The major legislative and regulatory tools for waste
management are adequately developed in the Black Sea countries, and include basic
laws and regulations. The new EU member countries Bulgaria and Romania and
candidate country Turkey (The EU Commission started to prepare an Accession
Partnership for Turkey, which was declared on March 8th, 2001) transpose relevant
EU directives and standards in their national legislation;
5)
one of the main management problems affecting most Black Sea countries consists in
imperfect ability to apply the existing laws and regulations. Being declared once, they
should be implemented by proper way but sometimes they do not work so far or work
inadequately.
25
3.
3.
EXISTING INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
EXISTING INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
3.1. INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
The Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (the Black Sea
Commission or BSC) and its Permanent Secretariat consolidate the regional activities on ML and
other types of marine pollution on base of the implementation of the Bucharest Convention and its
Protocols (see Section 2.1), and the Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Protection of
the Black Sea (see Section 4).
There are seven BSC Advisory Groups which provide their expertise and information support to
the Commission and Secretariat on following items: (a) pollution monitoring and assessment; (b)
control of pollution from land based sources; (c) development of common methodologies for
integrated coastal zone management; (d) environmental safety aspects of shipping; (e)
conservation of biological diversity; (f) environmental aspects of the management of fisheries and
other marine living resources; and (g) information and data exchange. The advisory groups (a), (b),
(c) and (d) seem to be the most pertinent to the addressing ML problem, although the other
advisory groups are concerned about ML sources, effects and management too. In addition, two
ad hoc working groups have been set up for the promotion of the European Water Framework
Directive (#2000/60/EC) and for the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding
between the BSC and Danube Commission (the Danube/Black Sea Joint Technical Working
Group).
Within the institutional framework co-ordinated by the BSC, seven Black Sea Regional Activity
Centres (RAC) have been established on base of existing national organizations. Four of them may
be especially helpful for the development of the regional ML activities:
•
RAC on Polllution Monitoring and Assessment (Ukrainian Scientific Center of Ecology
of the Sea, Odessa, Ukraine);
•
RAC on Control of Pollution from Land Based Sources (Ministry of Environment and
Forestry, Provincial Directorate of Istanbul, Turkey)
•
RAC on Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone
Management (Department of Natural Resources for Krasnodar Krai / Territory,
Krasnodar, the Russian Federation);
•
RAC on Environmental and Safety Aspects of Shipping (Marine Environment Pollution
and Control Department of the Bulgarian Maritime Administration, Varna Directorate,
Varna, Bulgaria).
BSC possesses co-operation links and options for consultative conversation with other
intergovernmental organizations involved in marine pollution affairs at the global and regional level,
including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Maritime Organization
(IMO), World Health Organization (WHO), UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, Mediterranean Science
Commission (CIESM), Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental
Protection (GESAMP), and different institutions of the European Union (EU). The BSC Secretariat
has also relations with the secretariats of the CBD, Bern Convention, CMS and ACCOBAMS (see
Section 2.1). The Black Sea states can collaborate with all above organizations directly or through
the BSC Secretariat.
UNEP. ML is a priority activity for the UNEP’s Regional Seas Programme. The Governing Council
decision 22/2 IIIA on this Programme, calls for the utilization of the regional seas conventions and
action plans (including, among them, the Bucharest Convention and the Strategic Action Plan for
the Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea) as a platform for the regional implementation
of multilateral environmental agreements and global programmes and initiatives. In resolution
26
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
59/25 on “Oceans and the law of the sea”, in paragraph 92, it is recommended that consultative
process during its deliberations on the report of the Secretary General, should organize its
discussions around, among others, marine debris. Besides, the 8th special session of the UNEP
Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (2004) adopted appropriate decision
SS.VIII/4 on Waste Management. Within this context, UNEP provides support to the BSC
Secretariat for the development of Regional Activity on Marine Litter in the Black Sea within the
framework of the Strategic Action Plan on Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea (the
Memorandum of Understanding between the BSC Secretariat and UNEP Regional Seas
Coordinating Office was concluded in 2005).
In 1995, the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Landbased Activities (GPA) has been adopted under the auspices of UNEP. GPA is an action-oriented
programme with the goal of addressing the negative effects of land-based activities on the marine
and coastal environment, with special emphasis on the inter-linkages between the marine,
freshwater and coastal environment. At the 1st Intergovernmental Review Meeting (2001)
representatives of 98 governments2 expressed their concern that the marine environment is still
being degraded to an increasing extent by pollution from different sources. Litter is one of
principal pollution categories identified in GPA. It was recommended that states assess problems
related to the severity and impacts of contaminants belonging to the principal categories including
the ML.
IMO is involved, in particular, in regulatory and technical co-operation activities regarding port
reception facilities. IMO maintains the Oil and Litter Information Network and adopted the
Guidelines for the implementation of MARPOL 73/78. All Black Sea countries are the members of
IMO.
WHO considers the ML problem as important constituent of medical, sanitary and aesthetic
issues focused on the safe and salubrious use of the aquatic and coastal environment for public
recreation and tourism. WHO published a series of reports on this topic (e.g., WHO, 1990, 1994)
and produced appropriate guidelines. The Guide on the Monitoring Bathing Waters (Bartram and
Rees, 2000) includes WHO recommendations regarding the methodology of ML surveying on the
beaches and at sea (Chapter 12 by A.T. Williams, K. Pond and R. Philipp). The Guidelines for Safe
Recreational Water Environments (WHO, 2003) describes possible adverse impacts of the
recreational use of coastal and aquatic environments upon the health of users. It also outlines
monitoring, control and prevention strategies relating to the hazards associated with these
environments. ML issues (including aesthetic parameters, economic consequences, marine debris
monitoring and management) are present mainly in Chapter 9 of the Guidelines.
FAO has prepared the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (adopted in 1995) and technical
guidelines for the implementation of the Code. Among other things, the Code includes
management objectives and measures related to the ML problem: minimization of waste, discards,
catch by lost or abandoned gear, prevention of losses of fishing gear, proper handling and storage
of shipboard garbage. States should “cooperate to develop and apply technologies, materials and
operational methods that minimize the loss of fishing gear and the ghost fishing effects of lost or
abandoned fishing gear”. The Fisheries Industry Department of FAO has a programme on the
“Impact of Fishing on the Environment”. FAO and IMO are involved in revising the Code of Safety
for Fishing Vessels where the effects of litter could be included as an issue of concern (UNEP,
2005).
IOC. The 6th Session of the IOC Committee for the Global Investigation of Pollution in the Marine
Environment (1986) recommended developing methodologies and facilitating efforts to monitor
the amounts and types of persistent litter in the seas. Some relevant activities, including several
pilot ML surveys and assessments, and the development of solid waste management plans, were
realized in 1987-1999 in the Mediterranean and Caribbean regions, and in some places along the
coasts of Africa. All Black Sea countries are the member states of IOC. Russia, Turkey and
Ukraine are present also in the IOC Executive Council.
2
The Black Sea states were represented by Russia and Turkey.
27
3.
EXISTING INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
CIESM acts for the communication of scientific information and the development of scientific
standards across the Mediterranean and Black Seas. In service to science, the Commission
promotes cooperation among marine scientists of various disciplines. In service to society, CIESM
draws upon its experts and the current scientific knowledge to deliver impartial and authoritative
advice on a variety of issues, focused on the dynamics, processes, biodiversity, pollution and
lasting protection of the Mediterranean and Black Sea ecosystems. In addition through its
monitoring programs, the Commission keeps a watch at the regional level over sensitive indicators
of the ecosystem change. Romania, Turkey and Ukraine are the member states of CIESM.
GESAMP is a multidisciplinary advisory panel consisting of independent experts nominated by a
number of the United Nations Agencies (United Nations proper, UNEP, IMO, WHO, FAO,
UNESCO-IOC, World Meteorological Organization, and International Atomic Energy Agency)
involved in the protection of the marine and coastal environment at the global level. GESAMP
addresses litter as one of important sources/categories of the adverse impact of land-based
activities on the ocean. The priority actions recommended are as follows: improvement of waste
materials recycling; improvement of port reception facilities; development of more degradable
packaging materials; and improvement of education and public awareness (GESAMP, 2001).
EU environmental policy aims to achieve sustainability by including environmental protection in
EU sectoral policies, preventive measures, the “polluter pays” principle, combatting environmental
pollution at source, and shared responsibility. There are approximately 200 EU legal instruments
covering a wide range of the environment-oriented fields, including water pollution, management
of waste, nature conservation, and relevant European criteria and standards. The EU has adopted
the Waste Framework Directive (1975), Directive on Hazardous Waste (1991), Directive on
Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (1996), Directive on the Landfill of Waste (1999),
Directive on Port Reception Facilities for Ship-generated Waste and Cargo Residues (2000),
Marine Strategy Directive (2005)3 and some other directives which have certain relation to the ML
problem. The Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Waste is one of four priority issues in the
EU 6th Environment Action Programme (2001-2010). EU member states must ensure that an
environmental impact assessment is carried out before approving certain public and privatesector development projects.
Until recently, there were no EU member states round the Black Sea, however, in 2007 two
riparian countries – Bulgaria and Romania – were accepted to the EU, and Turkey has a status of
the candidate country embarking on the course of joining the Union. In 2005, Bulgaria and
Romania signed the Treaty of Accession to EU, with the objective to make all necessary
preparations for their integrating into EU in 2007 or 2008. The negotiations with Turkey whose
candidacy application was made in 1987 and accepted in December 2005 continue. The EU
Commission started to prepare an Accession Partnership for Turkey, which was declared on
March 8th, 2001. On the other hand, the framework regulation designed to furnish the legal basis
for the Accession Partnership was adopted by the General Affairs Council on February 26th, 2001.
With the adoption of these two documents, an important legal procedure concerning Turkey’s
accession strategy was finalized. After the approval of the Accession Partnership by the Council
and the adoption of the Framework Regulation, the Turkish Government announced its own
National Program for the Adoption of the EU acquis on March 19th, 2001. The National Program
was submitted to the EU Commission on March 26th, 2001•. Besides, EU has relations (covering
the environment protection aspects) with other Black Sea countries. EU is interested in and
provides support for institutional, legal and administrative reforms in Ukraine and Georgia. In
particular, the Ukraine Country Strategy Paper (2002-2006) and appropriate National Indicative
Programme (2004-2006) were adopted by the European Commission in 2001 and 2003,
respectively. Environmental issues are included as mandatory ones into the both documents.
3
The European Marine Strategy defines contamination by ML as a general problem for the European seas; principal ML
sources are identified as shipping (incl. fishing and commercial shipping) and tourist/recreational activities.
 According to the opinion of the European Commission (http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/e50015.htm).
28
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
3.2. NATIONAL GOVERNMENTAL AND NONGOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS
A wide variety of governmental organizations, NGOs and business establishments are concerned
about marine and coastal pollution in the Black Sea states at the national and local level. Most of
these entities, represented by ministerial and municipal structures and services, marine and
sanitary inspections, research institutions and universities, port administrations, various agencies,
companies and enterprises, and amateur ecological associations, are involved (or can be involved)
in the activities addressing and combatting ML problem. The list of national organizations and
specialists related to the ML management, research, monitoring, cleanup operations, utilization
and public education is presented in Annex 3.
Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Waters (BMEW), Ministry of Transport (BMT)
and Ministry of Public Health (BMH) are at the head of ML activities regulated by the government.
BMEW includes two relevant departments responsible for the coordination and planning – the
Department of Waste Management and Department of Waters. This ministry acts through such
administrative/executive structures as the Bulgarian Black Sea Basin Directorate (BSBD) and
Environmental Executive Agency (BEEA). BSBD has functional branches in the coastal cities of
Varna and Bourgas. The Regional Environmental Inspectorates situated in the same cities are
entrusted with a task of environmental control.
BMT acts through subordinate structures named as the Bulgarian Maritime Administration (BMA)
and Bulgarian Port Administration which have their agencies/subdivisions of the same names in
Varna and Bourgas.
The Marine Environment Protection and Control Department of the BMA is responsible for:
•
control and protection of the Black Sea environment and the Danube River from
pollution caused by shipping;
•
administrative investigation in cases of marine pollution;
•
examination of vessel’s documentation related to the protection of the marine
environment;
•
examination of vessel’s construction and equipment aimed to prevent marine
pollution;
•
control of port reception facilities and waste management plans in Bulgarian harbours
and on ships;
•
imposing fines and penalties in accordance to the national legislation;
•
response to emergency situations accompanied with accidental pollution at sea.
BMH coordinates activities of the Regional Inspectorates for the Protection and Control of Public
Health located in Bourgas, Varna and Dobrich. These inspectorates work in tight cooperation with
municipalities/administrations of the cities, towns, villages and other populated sites on the
Bulgarian coast.
The collected ML and solid vastes are treated in waste incinerators of the Port Varna and Port
Bourgas (currently the latter is not in operation) and municipal landfills. There are several
enterprises involved in this effort including the collection of ship garbage and port wastes (e.g.,
Marine Antipollution Enterprise PLC, Port of Bourgas Ltd. and Port of Varna PLC).
Some research institutions of the Bulgarian Academy of Science are interested to participate in
ML studies (e.g., the Institute of Oceanology, Central Laboratory of General Ecology, and National
Oceanographic Commission).
29
3.
EXISTING INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Bulgarian NGOs involved in ML activities could be listed as follows (alphabetically): the Bulgarian
Biodiversity Foundation, Bulgarian National Association on Water Quality (BNAWQ), Center for
Environment and Sustainable Development, Greener Bourgas Foundation (GBF), Institute for
Ecological Modernization, Mayday Foundation, and ‘Sea Friends’ Marine Club.
Georgia. Two ministries – the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources
(GMEPNR) and the Ministry of Public Health (GMPH) – are responsible for the co-ordination of
national activities on ML control in Georgia. In this context, for instance, the GMEPNR Department
of Water Protection and GMPH Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision might be
appropriate managerial authorities. However, according to expert evaluation by Tamar Gamgebeli
(National Consultant on ML, GMEPNR Water Protection Department), at present there is no any
governmental structure (or ministerial officer) specifically involved in ML management in Georgia in
whole. Besides, there are no institutions involved in ML research and monitoring in this country.
The Adjarian Department of the Environment and Natural Resources along with Adjarian
Department of Public Health are responsible for ML affairs in the Autonomous Republic of Adjara.
These governmental bodies are not directly involved in ML management, but mainly in solid waste
management in the populated localities (cities, towns and villages) and harbours. In Batumi
(capital of the Adjara Autonomy) and other riparian cities/towns of Georgia and Adjara, the solid
waste management is carried out by local municipalities by means of their sanitary service
(inspectorates), with assistance from the contracted commercial structures. In the ports of Batumi
and Poti, local administrations deal with solid waste recipience and disposal also through the
contracted firms or derived enterprises (e.g., Batumi Port Ecology Ltd. and Poti Port Office Ltd.).
The “Black Sea Eco-Academy” NGO (Batumi) has some experience in public awareness activities
against ML and garbage pollution.
No information is available regarding ML institutional arrangements in the Autonomous Republic
of Abkhazia.
Romania. Central governmental structures involved in the management of ML affairs are
represented by the Romanian Ministry of Environment and Water Management (RMEWM;
including its Water Department), Ministry of Transportation (RMTCT), Ministry of Public Health
(RmPh) and, to a certain extent, by the Ministry of Economy and Trade (RMEC). Contacts with
municipalities (such as the City Administrations of Constantsa, Eforie and Mangalia) and other
local authorities are arranged with the help of the “Romanian Water” National Administration and
the National Environment Protection Agency. These bodies and the RMEWM itself interact also
with the subordinate Environment Protection Agencies located in Constantsa (responsible for the
Black Sea coastal zone) and Tulcea (responsible for the Danube Delta).
The collecting, transporting and final disposal of ML and household waste are developed by local
sanitation companies established in the riparian cities and contracted by the municipalities. Port
reception facilities (including services for garbage collection from vessels) and the incineration
plant for ship-generated waste are dependent on the Constanta Shipyard. All above activities are
authorized by the local Environment Protection Agencies and controlled by the Environmental
Guard.
Institutions that could be involved in ML studies and monitoring (as a part of appropriate national
system) are represented by: the National Research and Development Institute for Environmental
Protection (INCDPM–ICIM), National Institute for Marine Research and Development (INCDM),
National Institute for Research and Conservation of Danube Delta, and Danube Delta Biosphere
Reserve, with advisory assisstance from the Romanian Association for Solid Waste Management
(ARS).
The environmental public movement in Romania seems to represent the most dynamic and
coherent part of the nonprofit sector, at least in terms of activities conducted (regular coastal
cleanup campaigns, public awareness and educational projects). Since 1990, environmental
NGOs have constantly promoted networking, and some have reached distinguished levels of
organizational development. According to the information presented by Alexei Atudorei (National
30
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Consultant on ML, INCDPM–ICIM Environmental Engineering Department), at least eight NGOs
are involved in ML-related activities in Romania, including one organization in Constantsa (Mare
Nostrum), one – in Cluj (Romanian Ornithological Society), one – in Galatsi (Prietenii Pământului)
and five – in Bucharest (“UNESCO for Nature” Ecological Club, Black Sea University Foundation,
Group of Underwater Research and Speleology, Romanian Association of Environmental
Journalists, and Ecological Cooperation Group). Most of these NGOs (except Mare Nostrum) are
situated quite far from the seacoast.
Some major stakeholders are involved in anti-ML cooperation. In particular, the shipping industry
provided Romania with incineration plant; the tourism industry is involved in collecting and storage
of ML generated on the public beaches near hotels, resorts, etc.
Russia. The central governmental organs which could be involved in solving the Black/Azov Sea
ML problem are as follows:
•
the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation including the Federal
Water Resources Agency;
•
the Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation
including the Federal Service on Control in the Sphere of Public Health and Social
Development, and the Federal Agency on Public Health and Social Development;
•
the Ministry of Tansport of the Russian Federation including the Federal Agency on
Marine and Riverine Tansport;
•
the Federal Service on Hydrometeorology and Monitoring of the Enviroment; and
•
the Federal Service on Ecological, Technological and Nuclear Control.
The regional governmental bodies are represented by environmental, health protection and marine
transport authories of two Russian provinces (subjects of the Russian Federation) located at the
Black and Azov Sea coasts – the Krasodar Krai and Rostov oblast. Among these authorities a key
role could belong to the Department on Emergency Situations and State Ecological Control;
Department of Biological Resources, Ecology and Fish Industry Activities (Krasodar Krai); and to
the Committee for Protection of the Environment and Natural Resources (Rostov oblast). The latter
committee includes the Division on Management of the Use and Protection of Water Objects
which seems to be the most relevant structure in regard to ML issues in Taganrog Gulf of the Azov
Sea.
ML collecting services are developed in Russian harbours of Taganrog, Yeysk (the Azov Sea), Port
Kavkaz (the Kerch Strait), Novorossiysk, Gelendzhik, Tuapse and Sochi (the Black Sea). Marine
administrations of the seaports possess special vessels and organize regular cleanup operations;
they collect ML from ships and the sea surface in harbours and anchorage areas.
On the seashore, the belts of sanitary protection are established along the entire coastline.
Annually, just before and during summer holiday season, the administrations of coastal cities,
towns and settlements carry out cleanup operations on municipal beaches, whereas the
administrations of marine resorts, tourist centres and campcites do the same on the beaches
used by their guests (holiday-makers).
No information about Russian NGOs interested in Black Sea ML problem was presented by the
National Consultant.
Turkey. In Turkey, the Municipalities are the responsible authorities for the storage, transportation,
recycling and disposal of the solid wastes. Outside of their authorization areas, the administrative
district within the province has the responsibility.
Municipalities are prohibited to dump solid wastes to river beds and coastal zones, and Provincial
Directorates of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry are in control of the issue. General
31
3.
EXISTING INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Directorate of Borders and Maritinal Health of Ministry of Health monitor the water quality. Ministry
of Environment and Forestry takes measures to prevent environmental pollution.
According to the Law for Environment No. 2872, Amended Environment Law No. 5491, Law of the
Metropolitan Municipality No. 5216 and Law of the Municipality No. 5393 the local district
municipalities are responsible for the collection and transportation of all municipality solid wastes
to the transfer stations.
According to the Law of the Environment Article 8; ‘Waste discharging is forbidden to the
receiving environment’. Control and audit, with the authorization of Laws and Regulations, belong
to Provincial Directorates of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Licence authorization on
marine issues such as bilge water and litter is provided by the Ministry of Environment and
Forestry, and coastal Municipalities.
According to “ Act on Guidelines for Response to Emergencies and Compensation of Losses in
Case of Pollution of the Marine Environment from Oil and Other Harmful Substances” the powers,
duties and responsibilities regarding drawing up of emergency response plans, implementation of
emergency response plans in coastal areas, determination of the type and effects of pollution after
the incident are vested in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and Undersecretariat of
Maritime Affairs; the executionary powers, duties and responsibilities regarding public security
and police duties are vested in the Turkish Undersecretariat of Maritime Affairs and Coast Guard
Command.
According to regulations on the control of solid waste, discharging of solid wastes into the sea,
river and other receiving environments, streets, forests etc. are prohibited.
The implementation of the regulation on collecting wastes from ships has started. The
infrastructure suitable for the reception of solid wastes has been established in every harbour.
According to the Turkish Law of Environment, the audit and punishment of those polluting the
marine environment belongs to the Governorships, however fining ships in municipal borders
belongs to the authority of Mayors. The procedure for ships outside the borders is carried out by
the Coastal Gendarmerie Command.
The Governorships, Metropolitan Municipalities and Municipalities are responsible for the
execution of laws and regulations related to municipal and hazardous wastes. The General
Directorate of the Bank of Provinces provide expertise to the municipalities for project
development and for the implementation of infrastructural activities while dealing with mapping,
development of city plans, construction of sewage and solid waste facilities, carrying out
geological and geotechnical studies and construction of municipal waste disposal sites.
Permanent services for ML collecting are developed in some places. Coastal cleanup campaigns
are organized periodically by environmental NGOs (e.g., TURMEPA in some tens of Turkish
coastal sites and STH in Istanbul) together with municipalities.
Several representatives of major stakeholders are involved by NGOs in the partnership on ML
issues: shipping companies (some of them make donations), manufacturers of plastics (CEVKO
Foundation took part in recycling activities), fisheries, waste managers (e.g., the Turkish National
Solid Waste Committee) and general public. Municipalities, local communities and authorities are
rendering their assistance with organizing coastal and underwater cleanup campaigns, public
meetings and educational actions.
The importance of environment issues in Turkey is taken very seriously due to the work of the
Ministries in the Republic of Turkey and growing public awareness.
Ukraine. The central governmental structures managing issues of ML and wastes in Ukraine are
represented by:
32
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
•
the Ministry of Environmental Protection (it includes the Division of the Black and Azov
Seas and three State Ecological Inspections, respectively, for the areas of the NorthWestern Black Sea, Black and Azov Seas round Crimea, and for the rest of the
Ukrainian Azov Sea);
•
the Ministry of Public Health (it includes the Department of the State Sanitary and
Epidemiological Control); and
•
the Ministry of Transport and Communication (it includes the Department of Marine
and Riverine Tansport).
Besides, there are territorial Departments of the Ministry of Environmental Protection (along with
appropriate territorial Ecological Inspections) in all seven seashore provinces of Ukraine including
the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the Odessa, Nikolayev, Kherson, Zaporozhye and Donetsk
oblasts, and Sevastopol City/District.
Municipal and private companies provide ML/solid waste collection and transportation services
being contracted by the municipal authorities and seaport administrations and supervised by
above governmental bodies and their local branches. Municipal landfills are often operated by
private companies. Most recycling companies are private. A network of centers for collecting and
sorting waste paper, glass and other recyclable materials is growing in Ukraine (Stephanska,
2006).
There are at least three research institutions potentially interested in ML studies and monitoring.
They are: the Scientific Centre of Ecology of the Sea (Odessa), Odessa Branch of the Institute of
Biology of Southern Seas, and Brema Laboratory (Simferopol). The latter institution has its own
experience in organizing and conducting ML surveys along the Crimean coasts, over the Black
and Azov Sea waters of Ukraine and Russia, and in the Kerch Strait (see Section 5.1).
Up to date, only a few coastal clanup operations have been implemented by Ukrainian
environmental NGOs (e.g., the Crimean “Ecology and Peace” Association); thus, this public
activity is still irregular in most places.
33
4.
4.
PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES
PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES
4.1. REGIONAL LEVEL
So far, there was no Black Sea regional strategy, action plan or basin-wide programme that was
specifically directed to address and solve the ML problem. A list of international and regional
programmes and projects (1996−2006) which were/are partly or even marginally concerned in
Black Sea ML problem is presented as Annex 4.
The Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea (BS SAP, 1996,
amended in 2002) seems to be the most appropriate instrument that could be supplemented with
specific ML items of the regional significance. This document, being a basis for cooperative
actions on the conservation and improvement of the Black Sea environment, already includes a
series of cognate paragraphs relating to the reduction of pollution from land based sources,
vessels and dumping, to the waste management, and to the assessment and monitoring of marine
pollution (see Box 4.1 for examples).
Box 4.1. Selected BS SAP articles related to ML problem
Article 39. Black Sea states shall take the necessary steps to enable them to fully exercise their prescriptive and
enforcement powers, in accordance with international law, in order to pursue the reduction of illegal discharges
by vessels into the Black Sea.
Article 42. A total ban on the disposal of municipal garbage in marine, shoreline and estuarine areas shall be
imposed by December 1996. Each Black Sea state shall develop a plan setting out the manner in which
comprehensive enforcement of the ban will be attained by December 1999.
Article 43. Illegal dumping operations in the Black Sea are a matter of concern. Black Sea states, individually and
jointly, shall take measures to control any dumping activities that may take place.
Article 45. Black Sea states shall consider amending the Protocol on Dumping to the Bucharest Convention, in
accordance with the London Convention 1972, including its subsequent amendments.
Article 46. The Black Sea coastal states will co-operate in developing and implementing environmentally sound
waste management policies, giving due consideration to waste minimization, recycling and reuse.
Article 53. A “State of Pollution of the Black Sea” report will be prepared and published every five years,
beginning in 1996. It will be based on the data collected through the coordinated pollution monitoring and
assessment programs.
In 2002, the Black Sea Commission produced a report on the implementation of BS SAP during
the period from 1996-2001 (BSC, 2002). This document includes critical overview of the progress
in achievement of the posed objectives and formulates additional actions required for the nearest
future. In particular, following difficulties and needs were identified in the report:
•
there are evident gaps in knowledge related to the assessment of solid waste
problems and their management. The creation of international inspectorate to control
illegal discharges into the Black Sea is needed. A feasibility study to identify the scope
of illegal discharges and to propose measures for their abatement is recommended;
•
a total ban on the disposal of municipal garbage in marine, shoreline and estuarine
areas has been imposed in all Black Sea coastal states. However, estimates of illegal
disposals are not available; existing information gaps do not allow addressing and
assessing the problem on the regional scope. The policy, legislative and regulatory
measures for solid waste management are not very effective due to; poorly equipped
and staffed national authorities; poor economic status of municipalities to whom these
tasks are primarily assigned; lack of effective system for collecting and recycling
garbage; and ineffective incinerating facilities. Actions required for the coastal zone: (a)
to conduct regional feasibility study on the scope of the municipal solid waste
problem which includes the socio-economic implications; (b) to develop and
implement regional strategy and action plan on the solid waste management; (c) to
develop a set of regionally agreed guidelines and manuals for solid waste
management; and (d) to promote innovative technologies on solid waste management;
34
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
•
the maritime authorities of the Black Sea states, in cooperation with the environmental
authorities, are responsible for controlling illegal dumping although no country has
reported any cases. In the regional context, the problem has not been dealt properly
and requires more attention from the BSC. Actions required: (a) to incorporate a
monitoring system for litter as a component of the Black Sea Integrated Monitoring
and Assessment Program (BSIMAP) and to develop and implement coordinated
methodologies and techniques for assessment of litter pollution; (b) to promote knowhow and innovative technologies for solid waste management in small municipalities;
(c) to raise public awareness and educate populace, including the tourists, on issues
of recycling and the reusing of solid wastes; (d) to improve information flow and
exchange in order to share the best experiences, innovative technologies and knowhow amongst the Black Sea municipalities; (e) to develop regional guidelines for the
monitoring of illegal dumping; (f) to train and equip inspection personnel; (g) to
promote pilot projects for small municipalities;
•
the amending of the Protocol on Dumping to the Bucharest Convention was not on
the agenda of the BSC before 2002. Existence of information gaps shows that the
strengthening of the information requirements under the Protocol essentially requires
the BSC attention and more intense work on the part of the Activity Center on
Environmental Safety Aspects of Shipping. The harmonization of penalties and
monitoring systems on the regional level needs further improvement. Actions required:
(a) to promote ratification of the London Convention to the Contracting parties as
appropriate; (b) to revise the Protocol on Dumping and to prepare the necessary
amendments by the next Ministerial Meeting in 20074; (c) to conduct necessary
training and improve professional education; (d) to prepare and submit a proposal of a
regional project for the integrated remote observation system for coastal zones
pollution and other hazardous events;
•
On the regional level, issues of waste management were not tackled at all in any of
the programs or projects. The experience and knowledge on the available
technologies, best management practices for household and hazardous wastes, etc.
were not disseminated and were not shared among the Black Sea states. Regional
strategy and feasibility projects in the coastal zone are needed for: (a) preparation of a
solid waste inventory (domestic, hazardous and clinical) representing the current
situation for Black Sea region, determination of waste characteristics and amount of
waste, preparation of a related computer model, and education of the personnel; (b)
determination of the appropriate Solid Waste Disposal Model in terms of financial and
technical characteristics including waste collection, transportation, recovery and
disposal and site selection for the disposal facilities; (c) determination and
establishment of the appropriate unified model for the region related with integrated
waste management; (d) preparation and development of rehabilitation projects for the
existing open dump sites, and assessment of necessary system for the purpose of
energy recovery from the existing sites by determination of financial and technical
properties; (e) determination of the number, types, properties and costs of the
equipment required by the proposed model in framework of the project; (f) preparation
and development of application projects for selected facilities; (g) education of the
personnel involved in solid waste management and processing;
•
in cooperation with IMO and other relevant international organizations, the following
regional projects would compliment the national efforts in addressing waste
management issues if implemented: (a) to prepare guidelines/manuals for
development of the Port Waste Management Plan in line with the IMO and EU
requirements and to promote its implementation in all major Black Sea ports; (b) to
promote the best environmental practices related to the treatment and disposal of
wastes, including ship-generated wastes; (c) to implement ecosystem rehabilitation
projects; (d) to prepare guidelines or manuals for operation, maintenance and
inspection criteria of disposal areas to guide municipalities in the coastal zone.
4
According to recent decision agreed by the Contracting Parties to the Bucharest Convention, the next Ministerial Meeting
has been postponed till 2008.
35
4.
PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES
Most of above activities proposed by the BSC in 2002 retain their topicality up to present day. The
15th Regular Meeting of the BSC (Istanbul, 20-22 November 2006) considered the achieved
progress in implementation of the Black Sea Regional Activity on Marine Litter (item 8 of the
agenda) and approved the BSC Workplan for the year 2006/2007 (item 11). Among other things,
this workplan includes Paragraph 12 “Updating of the BS SAP”, with the final aim to adopt the
new version of this strategic document at the Ministerial Meeting 2008. It was decided by the BSC
members to use this opportunity and introduce specific ML actions into newly amended BS SAP.
4.2. NATIONAL LEVEL
National Consultants on ML were requested to supply their comments regarding the priority of
Black Sea ML problem and strategic approaches to this problem in their countries. Results of the
interviewing including valuable comments are presented in Table 4.1.
Most experts confirmed that the Black Sea ML problem constitutes a priority issue on the national
level, although Bulgarian and Georgian consultants printed “no”. However, comments provided by
both A. Nikolova and T. Gamgebeli show that the problem is really important (or even urgent in
Georgia) for their states despite the fact that the governments did not address and manage it yet
in the proper way. Furthermore, comments by other consultants argue in favour of similar situation
in Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. It seems to be true enough because any national
strategy, action plan or programme specifically devoted to ML problem are lacking in all six Black
Sea countries.
According to Article 81 of the BS SAP, each Black Sea coastal state must prepare a National
Black Sea Strategic Action Plan or other corresponding document presenting reasonable actions
for the national implementation of the BS SAP.
Bulgaria produced, adopted and partly implemented following strategic tools related to ML and
solid waste management issues:
•
National Strategy for the Environment and relevant Action Plan for 2000–2006;
•
National Environmental Strategy and National Action Plan for 2007–2014;
•
National Plan for Economic Development, Sector “Environment” for 2000-2006;
•
National Waste Management Program for 2003–2007;
•
National Strategy for Water Sector Management (up to 2015);
•
ISPA Program for 1999–2000;
•
ISPA Strategy for Environment 2003–2006; and
•
National Program for priority establishment of waste water treatment plants (since
1999).
The Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Waters (BMEW) is entrusted with managerial functions
on the implementation of above instruments. In its turn, the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport (BMT)
is responsible for correct implementation of the:
•
Strategy for development of the inland-waterway transport, sea transport and ports
until the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria into the European Union (2000–2006);
•
National transport strategy (up to 2015); and
•
National Programme for Ports Development (2006–2016).
Two more programmes related to the ML problem – the Operational Programme on the
Environment and the Sectoral Operational Programme on Transport (2007–2013) – are drafted and,
probably, will be adopted by the Bulgarian Government by the end of 2006.
36
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
ML-related activities (both the implemented in Bulgaria during last decade and the ongoing) are
listed in Table 4.2. Table 4.1. Experts’ views on the priority of and national strategic approach to
the Black Sea ML problem in the coastal states
Question: Is ML in the marine and coastal environment perceived as a
priority issue in your country?
A. Nikolova (Bulgaria) No In fact, litter pollution of the sea and coast is a priority issue for the
society. The sociological analysis (carried out by GBF in 2001) showed that the most disturbing
factor for Bulgarian beach visitors is beach pollution. More than 90% of the visitors answered that
they do not like rubbish on the coast. However, there is no official document on national, regional
and local level that addresses adequately litter pollution of the coastal and marine environment.
T. Gamgebeli (Georgia) No. On the one hand, Georgia is aiming at the development of tourism
which is considered as one of major priorities of the country. That makes ML problem very actual.
On the other hand, there is nothing done on governmental level to study this problem and find its
solution. In all available sources it is noted that “the household garbage management system is in
a terrible state, garbage collection system is broken down, and garbage, in the best cases, is
disposed at landfills not meeting the required standards”. This is proved by the fact that the
country does not have a Law on Wastes until now, sub-acts on ML have not been developed in
coastal zones, and illegal landfills are arranged in cities and other areas very often in coastal zone.
There are very few projects implemented on the local level (for example, partial reconstruction of
the Batumi landfill).
A. Atudorei (Romania) Yes. ML represents one of the items in the Romanian National Strategic
Action Plan for the Black Sea Integrated Control and Survey System of the Environment in Coastal
Zone.
Y. Yurenko (Russia) Yes. ML problem caused a start of the Monitoring Marine Pollution Program
in the Basin of the Black and Azov Seas (approved by the Head of Russian Government in 2003).
E. Okus (Turkey) Yes. During last five years public opinion, NGOs, ministries and local authorities
have contributed to raising attention and taking precautions about the issue along with making
new legal arrangements. Waste problem is one of high priority issues in Turkey. Municipalities are
prohibited to dump solid wastes to river beds and coastal zone. The execution of the regulation
on collecting wastes from ships has started; infrastructures of every harbour has been
constructed and collecting of solid wastes has been organized; activities related to liquid wastes
are about to be finalized. Various central, provincial and local governmental bodies are involved in
the control and management procedures. Social movement against ML pollution has been
organized by NGOs in most cities on the Turkish Black Sea coast.
N. Movchan (Ukraine) Yes. No comments.
Question: Could you formulate national strategic approach to the Black Sea
ML problem?
A. Nikolova (Bulgaria) Currently ML problem is not addressed by specific strategic document.
There is no specific ML strategic approach in Bulgaria setting legislative, institutional and financial
framework. The determination of institutional responsibilities for management, control, monitoring
and mitigation /cleaning up of ML is needed. Nevertheless, the strategic documents relating to
waste management, water protection, port infrastructure development and regional development
introduce some strategic principles, such as precautionary principle, polluter pays principle, clean
technology /clean production principle which are aimed to prevent ML pollution.
T. Gamgebeli (Georgia) There is no national strategic approach to the ML problem, however the
Environmental Performance Review (2003) includes recommendations on solid waste
37
4.
PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES
management: (1) preparation of investment projects envisaged by BS SAP; and (2) preparation of
investment project for recycling of municipal and industrial waste.
A. Atudorei (Romania) In accordance with the Bucharest Convention:
•
to prevent the pollution by hazardous substances or matter;
•
to prevent, reduce and control the pollution from land-based sources;
•
to prevent, reduce and control the pollution of the marine environment resulting from
emergency situations;
•
to prevent, reduce and control the pollution by dumping;
•
to prevent, reduce and control the pollution caused by activities on the continental
shelf, including the exploration and exploitation of natural resources;
•
to prevent, reduce and control the pollution from or through the atmosphere;
•
to protect the biodiversity and the marine living resources;
•
to prevent the pollution by hazardous wastes in transboundary movement and from
illegal traffic;
•
to provide framework for scientific and technical cooperation and monitoring activities.
Y. Yurenko (Russia) No comments
E. Okus (Turkey)
1. Planning the installation of landfill sites, recycling facilities and incineration plants in
populated areas of the Turkish Black Sea coast;
2. Preventing solid wastes carried by rivers from their reaching the sea (e.g., installing
screens in the estuaries to catch a litter);
3. Performing regular cleaning the beaches and controlling these operations;
4. Taking precautionary measures to prevent the pollution from maritime traffic, such as
the controlling solid waste from ships through the documents;
5. Finding a long term financial sources for the projects;
6. Decreasing garbage quantity by means of awareness rising on household litter
decomposing in situ;
7. All Black Sea countries should annually report on activities listed above and present
their plans and capacities to the BSC Secretariat.
N. Movchan (Ukraine) For the future:
•
development and approval of national legislation concerning operations with ML;
•
entering in force of legislative acts concerning ML;
•
development and realisation of the system of ML monitiring, collecting and utilization;
•
creation of specialized bodies responsable for the collecting and utilization of ML;
•
determination of a national service responsible for control, database development and
management of activities on ML.
38
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Table 4.2. Implemented and running activities related to ML problem (Bulgaria)
Project name
Years
Executing
body
Yearly campaign “Beach watch” for cleaning
up of beaches
Scientific conferences and meetings on Black
Sea environmental problems, Black Sea
International Conference (Varna)
Capacity building of basin directorates in
Bulgaria
Waste water treatment plant Obzor–Byala
Establishment of regional landfills – Sozopol
Bulgarian Vessel Traffic Management and
Information System, Phase 1
Vessel Traffic Management and Information
System, Phase 2
Waste water treatment plant Meden Rudnik,
Bourgas
Waste regional management (Bourgas,
Provadia and Dobrich regions)
Integral monitoring of the Bulgarian Black Sea
coast between Durankulak and Rezovo
Support to the Black Sea Basin Directorate for
implementation of requirements of Water
Directive in relation to the monitoring system
in coastal waters
Strengthening of the waterborne tasks of the
Bulgarian Maritime Administration
Establishment of port reception facilities for
liquid and solid ship waste
Waste water treatment plant Varna–
Asparuhovo and rehabilitation of urban waste
water treatment plan in Varna, II stage
Optimisation of national information waste
system
Wetlands restoration and pollution reduction
project
Environmental educational and awareness
raising programs and initiatives
since 1996
(ongoing)
NGOs, local
authorities, BSBD
since 1999
(ongoing)
BNAWQ
Various sources
2000
BMEW
EU
2001–2008
BMEW
EU, ISPA
2002–2004
ongoing
BMT
EU Phare
2003–2007
BMEW
EU, ISPA
2003–2007
BMEW
EU
2004
BMEW
EU
2005–2006
BMEW / BSBD
EU
2005–2006
BMT / BMA
EU Phare
2006–2008
BMT / BMA
Various sources
BMEW
EU
International Blue Flag movement
2000
Sponsor
EU
BMEW
BMEW
ongoing
NGOs, local
authorities,
schools, BMEW
regional bodies
ongoing
resorts, marinas
GEF
Georgia. The National Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea
has been drafted between 1998 and 2005, however it is not adopted yet by Georgian authorities.
This draft document includes some items related to the ML problem. The National Consultant
provided two quotations as an illustration:
1. “In accordance with the Georgian legislation and requirements of MARPOL 73/78, by 2005
should be developed: … rules preventing the pollution of the sea from ships by garbage”;
2. “Illegal dumping is very usual in Georgia. Quite a number of city landfills and polygons are
located just at the riverbanks or sea shore. Very often industrial wastes are disposed at the
39
4.
PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES
municipal landfills. Georgia does not have a waste management unified policy. Development of
National Action Plan is the first attempt to develop such a strategy and the attitude towards the
waste management is defined by the following hierarchy: (a) prevention of wastes generation and
their reduction at the source; (b) recycling and reuse; (c) energy generation from unused wastes by
their burning; (d) their safe disposal at the landfills. Proceeding ... this principle can be used only in
long-term perspective.”
According to the information, presented by the National Consultant, during last decade there was
no any Georgian programme or project that was fully or partly concerned in the ML problem.
Nevertheless, it is known from another source (BSC, 2002) that Georgia adopted the State
Standard for Collection of Wastes and realized some other activities in the framework of the World
Bank’s Project on the Integrated Management of Costal Zone. In 1998, the Black Sea EcoAcademy NGO (Batumi) implemented a public awareness project entitled “Make Less Garbage –
Info-Bus Campaign” supported by the TACIS Environmental Awareness Programme.
Romania. The National Plan for Waste Management (2000) and the National Strategic Action Plan
for Black Sea Integrated Control and Survey System of the Environment in the Costal Zone (2002)
have been adopted in Romania. The Solid Waste Management Plans for costal municipalities
were developed as well on the local level. It is important to mention that the waste management
policy is amended currently in Romania in accordance with appropriate EC Directives and other
requirements of the European Union. This activity has started in March 2006 by setting up the
inter-ministerial working group.
In 2000–2001, the Mare Nostrum NGO (Constantsa) in co-operation with its Bulgarian partner
(GBF, Bourgas) implemented the “Clean Beaches” project5 supported by the REC for CEE. During
the same period the Mare Nostrum has implemented two more ML-related projects on the
national level.6 In 2004, the same NGO along with the Ecumenical Association of the Churches
from Romania and the World Council of Churches organized the Workshop on Eco-Ethics and
Environmental Education. In summer 2005 and 2006, the Mare Nostrum carried out the “Clean
Seaside” public campaign sponsored by the Vodafone- Romania.
Russia. The “Wastes” Federal Programme has been implemented in 1996-2001. It envisaged, in
particular, a series of measures/actions for the improvement of solid waste management. The
“Ecology and Natural Resources” Federal Programme was adopted for the next 10-year period
(2001-2010). This programme includes the “Wastes” sub-program. In 2003-2005, the
Hydrometeorological Agency of the Russian Federation (RosHydromet) supported the
environmental project entitled as the “Monitoring of the pollution in Russian areas of the Black and
Azov Seas” (see Section 5.1.1, B).
Turkey. In May 2004, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry signed a protocol with the Institute
of Chemistry and Environment of the Marmara Research Center for the preparation of the National
Action Plan related to land based sources of pollutants in the Mediterranean and Agean Seas, Sea
of Marmara and Black Sea. All the land base sources pollutants were determined, and the
priorities were defined according to the sectors and areas. After completion of all studies National
Action Plan for the prevention of polluting coming from land base sources was prepared and
approved.
According to the adopted priorities two priority investment programs were elaborated and started
being implemented, including the Anatolia Watershed Rehabilitation Project, which in addition to
national funds was supported by GEF and World Bank. The duration of the Project, started in
2005, is 7 years. The aim of the Project is providing a stabilized natural resources management,
increasing the income of people living in the Anatolia and Black Sea Regions and decreasing the
pollution originating by agricultural activities and transported by Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak Rivers.
5
Full title of the project: “Clean beaches, the first commitment for a sustainable tourism in Romania and Bulgaria Black
Sea Coastal Areas”.
6
Titles of projects: (a) “Romanian coastwatchers encourage involvement of young citizens and stakeholders in
understanding, caring and taking action for the Black Sea environment”; (b) “Raising the awareness of environmental
issues in Romania – Keep Romanian beaches clean”.
40
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
The project is fully integrated with environmental concern in agricultural practices to make them
more sustainable. It includes “storage, management and application of manure” and “ecological
sustainable use of natural resources” to reduce the discharge of nutrient load into the Turkish
ground and surface waters as well as into the Black Sea. Pilot areas are: Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak
(Tokat, Samsun, Çorum, Amasya) River Basin Area. The Nitrate Directive was translated into
Turksih. The main responsible authority is the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Ministry
of Environment and Forestry.
Since 2000 all municipalities at the Black Sea coast of Turkey came to the point of constructing
adequate landfill sites and recycling facilities for solid waste disposal; plans for solid waste
management have been developed and their implementation has started:
•
Municipal solid waste Landfills for the cities in Rize-Trabzon area (including 25 towns),
Samsun Greater Municipality, cities of Sinop area (including 3 towns) and Adapazarı
(including 12 towns) construction of municipal landfills has started in 2005
•
the Union of Drinking Water, Solid and Liquid Waste was founded in January 2006 in
Giresun. The EIA reports were prepared and the pre-EIA was approved for this city;
the construction project has been developed and tender procedure has been
completed;
•
Ordu finalized the EIA report, and the facility should become operational in 2008;
•
in Samsun solid waste is being landfilled regularly and coastal cleaning activities are
carried out on a daily basis. Municipalities that are linked to Samsun Metropolitan
Municipality collect solid wastes within their boundaries and transport them to
Yılanlıdere near Canik, where the wastes are buried under the river bed. In 2007,
Samsun Metropolitan Municipality should open new regular disposal site for
permanent operation;
•
solid wastes of Zonguldak are dumped into the open area just near the sea. However,
15ha of a forest area near Sofular village have been allocated by the Forestry General
Directorate in order to construct there new regular storage facility in substitution of the
old one. The EIA process was finished in 2006. The construction project started and
was expected to be finalized in 2007. It is planned that 32 municipalities will use this
facility. The facility will become operational in 2007;
•
regular landfill area in Valley of Filyos (Karabük–Bartın–Zonguldak triangle) undergoes
the process of EIA;
•
feasibility studies and tender documents are prepared for cities of Tokat (Yeşilırmak
river basin) and Nevşehir (Kızılırmak river basin). It is expected to start the construction
of solid waste facilities there in 2007;
•
the World Bank financed the development of a regional solid waste management
system with a sanitary landfill in Sürmene; however, for 15 years this proposal has not
been advanced because of the legal opposition of the inhabitants in this region
(Berkun et al., 2005). A new project for the use of this area as a landfill site has been
reconsidered since the legal problems were resolved in 2004;
•
some municipalities have purchased new equipment to keep beaches clean.
The above listed efforts suggest that the Turkish government devotes steadfast attention to the
development of solid waste management systems in the populated areas of the Black Sea coast.
However, it was noted recently (Berkun et al., 2005) that such activities seem to be more difficult
to implement in those sites than, for instance, in Istanbul (see Box 4.2).
41
4.
PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES
Box 4.2. Solid waste management in Istanbul
(after Berkun et al., 2005)
9000 tons of municipal solid waste are generated in the city on a daily basis. The present solid waste production
per capita is 0.63kg/day. Until 1953, Istanbul’s wastes had been dumped at sea. After that, the disposal of solid
wastes in open dumps became a common practice, until the publication of the Solid Waste Control Regulation in
1991. Istanbul had five open dumping areas; the Princess Islands’ solid wastes were dumped into four dumping
areas on the islands themselves. More recently, the Islands’ solid wastes have been transported to the mainland.
According to the Solid Waste Control Regulation, the local district municipalities are responsible for the collection
and transportation of all municipality solid wastes to the transfer stations. The Metropolitan Municipality is
responsible only for the collection of solid wastes from the main streets, public parks and then the management
of the all solid wastes after they are brought to the transfer stations. The Metropolitan Municipality is also
responsible for the construction and operation of the final disposal sites. The Municipality of the Metropolitan City
of Istanbul has constructed six transfer stations since 1995. Three of the transfer stations, Halkalı, Baruthane and
Yeni Bosna, with 53, 65 and 50 silos, respectively, and a total capacity of 7500 ton/day, are located on the Asian
side. The other three transfer stations, Aydınlı, Hekimbaşı and Küçükbakkalköy, having 55, 69 and 45 silos,
3
respectively, and a total capacity of 7500 ton/day, are on the European side. The volume of each silo is 32m . The
distance of the transfer stations from the sanitary landfills is between 38 and 51km. Collected solid wastes are
brought by truck to the transfer stations, emptied into the vertical silos, and compacted to reduce the volume by
20% before the silos are carried to the final disposal areas. The Odayeri sanitary landfill has an available area of
14ha and reserved area of 2000ha for future developments. It has the capacity to store 4500 ton of solid waste
per day. The area of the other sanitary landfill, Komurcuada, is 6ha, but an additional 50ha is reserved for the
future.
Industrial solid wastes are not collected by the Municipality. It is the responsibility of industry itself to collect and
transport its own solid waste to disposal sites, and hazardous wastes to the incineration plant located at Kocaeli.
Healthcare wastes are collected and transferred to the incineration plant separately by the municipality.
However, recent information reported by the national consultant shows significant progress in the:
According to the Law for the Environment No. 2872, Amended Environment Law No. 5491, Law of
the Metropolitan Municipality No. 5216 and Law of the Municipality No. 5393, the local district
municipalities are responsible for the collection and transportation of all municipality solid wastes
to the transfer stations. The Metropolitan Municipality is responsible for the collection of solid
wastes from the main streets, public parks and then for the management of all solid wastes after
they are brought to the transfer stations. The Metropolitan Municipality is also responsible for the
construction and operation of the final disposal sites. The Municipality of the Metropolitan City of
Istanbul has constructed six transfer stations that are Umraniye (Hekimbaşı), Tuzla (Aydınlı),
Kadıköy (Küçükbakkalköy), Sişli (Baruthane), Bahçelievler (Yenibosna), Küçükçekmece (Halkalı).
The Metropolitan Municipality transports solid wastes from transfer stations to the landfill sites in
Kemerburgaz (Odayeri) and Şile (Kömürcüoda). Medical Wastes are collected in separate on a
daily basis using 12 special vehicles and transferred to the incineration plant of medical wastes in
Kemerburgaz (Odayeri) for incineration. More than 24.000 kg/day medical wastes are collected.
Waste batteries are collected also separetaly at 300 points in Istanbul. In average 1700 kg waste
batteries are collected monthly. The Metropolitan Municipality puts waste batteries into the waste
battery store in Kemerburgaz (Odayeri) landfill sites.
A series of ML-related projects are carried out in Turkey on volunteer basis with the financial
assistance from various sponsoring agencies. Some of them are listed as follows:
•
Coastal Cleanup Campaign with Soldiers and Soldier’s Families (implemented by the
Turkish Naval Forces);
•
Cleanup Activity under the Sea (implemented by STH NGO, Istanbul);
•
International Coastal Cleanup Campaign (coordinated by TURMEPA NGO, Istanbul);
•
Education of Household on Domestic Solid Waste Management (implemented by the
Environment and Culture Enterprising, Trabzon);
•
Publishing the “Hot News Bulletin” and the “Black Sea Bulletin” (TURÇEK NGO,
Istanbul).
42
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Ukraine. The National Concept for the Protection and Recovery of the Environment of the Azov
and Black Seas has been adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in July 1998. Later on, it
was followed by the National Programme of the same name (2001-2010) adopted by the
Parliament and President of Ukraine in March 2001. This strategic document includes, in particular,
following activities:
•
development of the control system for preventing the transmission of dangerous
substances by marine transport and sea water pollution from vessels; and
•
improvement of the municipal and industrial waste operation system in the coastal
zone.
Local action plans for solid waste management were developed and incorporfated in the
environmental programmes/plans prepared on the provincial level.
However, after five years of the imlementation of the National Programme, it was resumed by the
independent expert (Stephanska, 2006) that Ukraine has not yet developed a self-sufficient
national infrastructure for waste management and disposal, although a positive trend in increasing
the proportion of recovered or recycled waste is observed. Two of four waste incineration plants
are functional in Ukraine, but their equipment does not meet environmental standards, and the
resulting ashes and slag are not disposed of properly. Due to the absence of a self-sufficient
national infrastructure for waste management and disposal, many regions of Ukraine are
experiencing difficulties with processing and disposal of hazardous waste. Most companies have
to store hazardous waste on their sites in dangerous amounts. Only few companies' disposal
facilities are properly engineered for this purpose. The number of specialized sites for centralized
processing of hazardous waste is insufficient.
O. Stephanska (2006) concludes also that “given the heavy reliance in Ukraine on dumping in
poorly-controlled sites for solid waste disposal, the greatest practical benefit in terms of reducing
threats to human health and the environment would ultimately be achieved by implementing the
European Union’s Landfill Directive, although this would be a long term goal”.
There are several pilot landfill management projects in Ukraine. European companies from France,
Italy and Spain are exporting waste sorting lines for these projects. In 2004, the U.S. Trade and
Development Agency awarded a USD 300,000 grant to the Ukrainian city of Yalta situated on the
Black Sea coast of Crimea to fund a feasibility study for developing a modern municipal solid
waste management system. The study, completed in 2006, investigated the best available options
to replace the old dry-tomb landfill with an integrated waste management system that includes
waste minimization, recycling and waste-to-energy conversion. If the project is implemented it will
bring modern US technologies to Ukraine.
In 2002 and 2003, the ML surveys have been conducted on the Black Sea coast of Crimea, in the
Kerch Strait and over the entire area of the Ukrainian territorial sea (Interdependence..., 2002,
2003; Birkun and Krivokhizhin, 2006). The results of those initiatives supported by the Ukrainian
Ministry of Environment and Utrish Dolphinarium Ltd. (Moscow) can be found in Sections 5.1.1 A,
C and 5.1.2 A.
The outputs of ML-related projects implemented in the Black Sea countries in 1996−2006 are
summarized in Table 4.3.
43
4.
PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES
Table 4.3. Outputs of ML-related projects and other initiatives implemented in Black Sea
countries in 1996−2006
(based on the data presented by national consultants on ML and supplemented with relevant
information from other sources)
Achieved results
Legal and administrative
instruments aimed to manage ML
problem are improved
Waste management policy is
amended
Sustainable integrated
management of ML is secured
Methodology to monitor ML
pollution is developed (or
acquired), including methods
which are serviceable to assess:
ML quantities
ML composition
ML distribution patterns
ML sources
ML trends
ML impact on the:
environment
biodiversity
public health
economics
Monitoring of ML and its effects is
organized and maintained
Assessment of ML pollution is
completed
Proposals to prevent and reduce
ML and its adverse effects are
prepared
Campaigns and/ or permanent
services for ML collecting are
developed
New technologies/ devices for ML
collecting and processing are
elaborated or purchased
Port reception facilities and
services for garbage collection
from vessels are developed
and/or improved
Major stakeholders are involved in
anti-ML partnership/cooperation,
including:
shipping industry
tourism industry
Manufacturers of plastics
Fisheries
waste managers/services
municipalities, local communities
and authorities
NGOs and general public
Training for officers occupied with
ML management is organized
Bulgaria Georgia Romania Russia Turkey Ukraine
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no
no
no
yes1
no
yes2
yes3
yes4
yes5
yes
yes
yes
no
yes
no
no
no
no
no
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
yes
no
yes
no
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
yes
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
no
no
no
no
no
no
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
yes
yes
yes
no
yes
no
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
yes
no
yes
no
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
yes6
no
yes
n.a.
yes
no
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no
no
no
yes
yes
n.a.
n.a.
yes
yes
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
yes
n.a.
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no
no
no
yes
yes
no
no
yes
no
n.a.
n.a.
yes
no
no
no
44
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Achieved results
Professional sectorial guidelines
for ML management are
developed for:
tourism
boating
diving
cruise lines
fisheries
coastal construction
Awareness and educational tools
(brochures, posters, TV-clips,
etc.) dedicated to ML problems
are produced
'Responsible citizenship'
guidelines for different sectors
and target audiences are
developed, in particular, for
children and students
Tourists
municipal authorities and local
communities
shipping companies
ship and smaller vessels crews
commercial and recreation fishing
vessels
other identified target groups
Mass media awareness-raising
campaign fighting against ML is
initiated
Growth of public awareness/
participation in cleanup activities
became sound
Bulgaria Georgia Romania Russia Turkey Ukraine
yes
no
yes
n.a.
no
no
yes
no
no
no
no
no
yes
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
yes
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
no
no
no
no
no
no
yes
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
yes
no
yes
n.a.
yes7
no
yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
yes
no
no
n.a.
yes
n.a.
yes
yes
yes
no
no
yes
no
yes
yes
yes
no
n.a. – not available (some National Consultants found difficulties in answering these questions).
1
– methodology for monitoring beach litter pollution was elaborated and tested on voluntary base for five
pilot beaches;
2
– methodology to monitor ML pollution is developed in part (not specially for ML) in frames of the National
standards “Waste characterization” and ROMECOM (household waste characterization);
3
– semi-quantitative method of aerial registration of floating ML;
4
– qualitative and quantitative methods including those which are applicable for the coastal and underwater
ML surveing;
5
– mainly quantitative methods for beaches and maritime areas including the ML surveying based on the line
transect methodology;
6
– a workshop for initiation of partnership for clean beaches was organised by GBF in 2001 and
representatives of all the listed stakeholders expressed their commitment to co-operate;
7
– the Hot Guidelines for NGOs and responsible citizenship guidelines for housewifes and sports clubs are
developed.
45
5.
5.
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON MARINE LITTER IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON MARINE LITTER IN
THE BLACK SEA REGION
This section of the report includes:
•
scientific data on ML which are definitely scarce, and
•
expert evaluation of some basic characteristics of ML pollution provided by the
national consultants on base of their personal experience and understanding of the
situation in their countries.
5.1. MARINE LITTER RESEARCH AND MONITORING IN THE
MARINE AND COASTAL ENVIRONMENT
As it follows from the national reports, there were no any ML research, monitoring or assessment
activities in Georgia and Romania during the last decade (1996−2005) and, obviously, before. At
the same time, several institutions in Russia, Turkey and Ukraine have conducted certain ML
research using quite different approaches and methods. Results of those studies are summarized
below (sections 5.1.1 and 5.1.2).
No special study of ML effects (including environmental impact, public health influences,
economic consequences, etc.) has been carried out in the Black Sea region till now.
5.1.1. Data on marine litter in the marine environment
A. The first attempt to estimate approximate level of ML pollution in the Black Sea marine
environment has been performed in August 2002 within “Azovka-2002” project implemented by
the Brema Laboratory (Simferopol, Ukraine) and Institute of Ecology and Evolution (Moscow,
Russia)7. The main goal of the project was to collect data on abundance and distribution of Black
Sea cetaceans (dolphins and porpoises) by means of aerial surveys. Concomitant information on
ML was gained in addition only, thanks to that opportunity. The obtained ML data proved useful to
another project implemented at the same time by the Crimean Medical Unversity (Simferopol).
Thus, finally, the results were included in scientific report (Interdependence..., 2002) submitted to
the Ministry of Public Health of Ukraine. Brief description of that research initiative is presented
below.
A series of aerial surveys have been carried out during seven days within the period from 2-17
August 2002 in the Kerch Strait (890 km2, 190 km of observation effort along 13 tracklines), the
contiguous southern portion of the Azov Sea (7,560 km2, 351 km, 6 tracklines), and in adjoining
with the strait Black Sea shelf area not more than 200 m deep, located between Cape Chauda in
Crimea, Ukraine, and Dagomys on Caucasian coast, Russia (7,960 km2, 615 km, 19 tracklines) (Fig.
5.1). The observations were conducted under favourable weather conditions (Beaufort 0-3) by
means of three twin-engine high-winged superlight amphibian aircrafts ‘Chernov-22’ (Fig. 5.2)
moved along the tracklines at an altitude of 50-200 m with a speed of 100-150 km/hr. Pairs of
trained observers provided continual visual scanning of water surface from both boards of the
aircraft. They were instructed to draw attention to floating ML represented by plastic bottles and
bags, pieces of styrofoam, polyethylene film, etc. Polarizing sunglasses were used as needed.
Just after passing any trackline the observers recorded their cumulative appraisal of ML pollution
along the trackline as follows: “0” – ML was not revealed, “1” – few ML items, and “2” – many ML
items have been detected. Average ML scores were calculated for each trackline on base of
appraisals received from both boards of observation platform, and, finally, mean values of ML
7
“Azovka-2002” was supported by the Utrish Dolphinarium Ltd., Moscow.
46
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
pollution (VML) were estimated separately for the Kerch Strait and study areas in the Azov and
Black Seas:
VML =
s1L1 + s2L2 + … + snLn
· 100 km, where
n (L1 + L2 + … + Ln)
s – average ML score estimated for each trackline surveyed,
L – length of each trackline surveyed (km),
n – number of surveyed tracklines.
Azov Sea
Black Sea
Fig. 5.1. Study areas surveyed in August 2002. Tracklines used for ML surveying are shown
as solid lines of different thickness. The thickness of lines corresponds with average ML
scores estimated for each trackline: from 0 (the most thin line) to 1,7 (the most thick line).
Moderate number of plastic ML items was detected in the Azov Sea along all tracklines surveyed.
As a result, the estimated level of ML pollution in this area appeared the most significant (Table
5.1). In the Kerch Strait numerous ML sightings were concentrated in the central and southeastern portions – mainly within the anchorage area abundant with large vessels. At the same time,
in the northern and south-western parts of the strait ML was not sighted at all (see Fig. 5.1).
However, the homogenized valuation of ML pollution in the Kerch Strait turned out to be almost as
high as in the Azov Sea and twice as high as in the Black Sea area (see Table 5.1). In spite of this
averaged outline of the north-eastern Black Sea as relatively less polluted with ML, there were
some tracklines and spots between tracklines (e.g., near Anapa and Gelendzhik and in the vicinity
of Feodosia) which possessed large accumulations of ML items.
47
5.
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON MARINE LITTER IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
Fig. 5.2. ‘Chernov-22’ aeroplanes used for ML syrveying in August 2002 (photo by E.
Nazarenko)
Table 5.1. Estimated relative values of ML pollution (aerial survey, August 2002)
Study areas
Observation
effort, L
(km)
Limits of
average ML
scores, s
Estimated value
of ML pollution
(VML)
Azov Sea (southern part; 7,560 km 2)
Kerch Strait (890 km 2)
Black Sea (NE shelf area; 7,960 km2)
351
0.5 – 1
12
190
0 – 1.7
10
615
0 – 1.7
5
B. Quite different aerial ML surveys have been conducted in the Russian Black and Azov Seas in
2003, 2004 and 2005 by the Centre on Hydrometeorology and Environment Monitoring of the
Black and Azov Seas (CHEMBAS, Sochi, Russia)8. The methodology and results are described in
details in the annual reports of this organization (CHEMBAS, 2004, 2005, 2006). In particular, a
total of 150 and 160 days were allocated during warm period (from spring to autumn) for
collecting ML data in 2004 and 2005, respectively; 10 specialists were involved in that activity
every year. The study area was represented by internal and territorial (12-miles-wide) waters of the
Russian Federation including 7,880 km2 of water surface in the Black Sea and 8,000 km2 – in the
Sea of Azov (maps of the maritime areas under Russian jurisdiction are shown in Annex 2). Visual
observations were carried out over the selected plots (strata) of the sea by means of helicopter.
Observers recorded total number of solitary ML pieces and ML accumulations floating on the sea
surface in each plot/stratum. In addition, they roughly estimated sizes of ML accumulations which
varied widely from 1-5 m2 to more than 100,000 m2. As a result, the data on geographical
distribution, relative density, hot spots, seasonal and daily trends of floating ML were obtained.
However, no precise information was collected regarding ML composition. It was indicated only
that ML accumulations usually consisted of human-produced ML along with natural ML objects
(e.g., wood remainders and leafage).
A total of 918 sightings of floating ML were recorded in 2004, and 949 sightings – in 2005. Typical
quantitative distribution of ML sightings between different areas and study plots is shown on the
diagram (Fig. 5.3). According to the data presented, the maximum number of ML sightings
occurred in the southern part of the Russian Black Sea near Sochi and between Sochi and Tuapse
(Psou–Loo, Loo–Magri and Magri-Inal areas). The number of sightings decreased in the northern
8
Full title of the project: “Monitoring of the pollution in Russian areas of the Black and Azov Seas”.
48
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Black Sea areas up to the southern boundary of the Kerch Strait near Cape Panagia. ML sightings
in the Russian Azov Sea were relatively infrequent. Small accumulations of floating litter have been
observed in the south-eastern part of this basin and in the Gulf of Taganrog (mainly in its central
area along the major navigation route).
Thus, it could be tentatively assumed that the eastern Azov Sea is less polluted with ML than the
north-eastern and eastern Black Sea within the territorial borders of Russia during spring, summer
and autumn. However, this conclusion may be strongly biased due to different observation effort
applied in different areas. In theory, these data should be carefully reconsidered in view of flight
time (hours) and flight distance (linear kilometers) allocated for the surveying in each study area
and stratum. Factors influencing on ML detectability (speed and altitude fluctuations of the
observation platform, different weather conditions, etc.) must be taken in consideration too.
Research areas in total
Study plots/strata within the research areas:
Fig. 5.3. Number of ML sightings recorded in 2005 in different areas of the Russian Black
and Azov Seas.
1 Port of Sochi
5 Tsemesskaya bay
2 Port of Tuapse
6 Port of Anapa
3 Gelendzhikskaya bay
7 Anchorage area in the Kerch Strait
4 Anchorage area near Cape Doob
The results of those aerial surveys suggested that major quantity of ML comes to the Russian
Black Sea in late spring and early summer (in May and June), while the least of ML sightings was
recorded in autumn (in September and October). It was supposed that the level of ML pollution
depends mainly on the level of river run-off in this area. Snowmelt floods and torrential downpours
are typical for Russian Caucasus on the verge of spring and summer, and numerous mountain
rivers become swollen during this season. It seems very likely that just river and rain torrents along
with the washed down land-based garbage and solid waste constitute crucial sources/suppliers of
ML pollution in the internal and territorial waters of Russia (Fig. 5.4). Most local rivers are situated
in the southern lands of the Krasnodar Territory. That is, probably, one of possible explanations on
why so many ML sightings (about 60%) were recorded in the southern coastal zone represented
by Sochi–Tuapse area (see Fig. 5.3; Psou–Loo, Loo–Magri and Magri-Inal strata).
49
5.
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON MARINE LITTER IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
Fig. 5.4. Potential ML on the river bank, Russian Caucasus.
(photo by Y. Yurenko)
In the internal Russian waters ML usually was sighted in narrow zone along the coastline, mainly in
bays and harbours, with particular trend to accumulation in semi-closed inshore areas, such as
Taman Gulf, Tsemesskaya and Gelendzhikskaya bays (see Annex 2). ML also congested in
artificial “traps” formed by hydroengineering constructions protruding into the sea, for example,
along the 3-km-long Tuzla dam built in the Kerch Strait in 2004. In the territorial waters, ML
accumulated following the streamline of the eastern Black Sea counter-clockwise current.
According to known patterns of the Black Sea superficial circulation (see Fig. 1.2), it could be
assumed that floating ML slowly drifts towards North-West along the Russian coast at the
distance of 5-25 km from the shore. In summertime, complying with daily breeze circulation, ML
accumulations were recorded farther from the coastline in the morning than in the evening. During
cold season, the dominating intensive north-eastern winds, probably, remove most floating ML
from the Russian Black Sea.
C. The vessel-based line transect surveys have been carried out in 2003 for the purpose to
estimate cetacean abundance and numerical values of ML pollution in the Ukrainian part of the
Kerch Strait (345 km2; 109 km of observation effort along 13 tracklines; two days in August; Fig.
5.5) and within the entire 12-miles-wide territorial waters of Ukraine in the Black Sea (24,130 km2;
1,662 km along 57 tracklines; 14 days in September and October; Fig. 5.6). The surveys were
designed and performed in frames of two research projects implemented by the Brema
Laboratory alone (“MS-2003”)9 and together with the Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the
Russian Academy of Science (“Afalina-2003”)10. The ML data were analysed in the Crimean
Medical University and submitted to the Ministry of Public Health of Ukraine and BSC Permanent
Secretariat (Interdependence..., 2003). Later on the results were presented at the BSC scientific
conference (Birkun and Krivokhizhin, 2006).
9
“MS-2003” project was supported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Environment, Kiev.
“Afalina-2003” project was supported by the Utrish Dolphinarium Ltd., Moscow.
10
50
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Fig. 5.5. Study area and 13 parallel tracklines used for the vessel-based line transect survey
in Ukrainian waters of the Kerch Strait in August 2003.
Fig. 5.6. Study area and 57 zigzag tracklines used for the vessel-based line transect survey
in Ukrainian territorial waters of the Black Sea in September and October 2003.
51
5.
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON MARINE LITTER IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
The surveys were conducted under the sea state score from 0 to 3 according to Beaufort scale,
by means of two observation platforms (a longboat in the strait and cruising yacht in the sea)
sailed at a speed of 6–9.4 knots. Changeable pairs of observers, rotated every 30–60 minutes,
continuously scanned water surface from both sides of a vessel with the naked eye; a height of
observers eyes above sea level varied from 2.6 to 3.4 m. Observers were instructed to record all
types of polymer debris floating in the Black Sea, but in the Kerch Strait they registered plastic
bottles only. Perpendicular distances from the sighted ML objects to vessel’s course were
estimated. Statistical treatment and analysis of results followed the methodology recommended
by Buckland et al. (1993). All sightings of ML were pooled to derive specific effective search halfwidth in two different strata, including the Kerch Strait and Ukrainian territorial waters in the Black
Sea. The sets of sightings were truncated at perpendicular distances, partioned in various but
equal intervals and fitted to the models by means of Distance 3.5 program package (The Research
Unit for Wildlife Population Assessment, University of St. Andrews, UK).
A total of 479 sightings (591 pieces) of floating plastic ML have been recorded in the Ukrainian
Black Sea between the Danube Delta and Zmeiny Island to the west and Kerch Strait to the east
(see Fig. 5.6). Most records pertained to coastal waters off the Crimea peninsula between
Sevastopol and Feodosia (Fig. 5.7; tracklines from BS41- BS51).
The minimum values (uncorrected for detection bias) of ML pollution with drifting plastics were
estimated for territorial waters of Ukraine:
•
general density of floating plastic objects – 6.57 pieces/km2 (CV 18%);
•
absolute amount of floating plastic objects – 158,620 pieces (CV 18%).
It was supposed that average mass of one plastic object being either in the sea or on the beach
(see Section 5.1.2, A) is equiponderant making up 0.117 kg. Therefore, aggregate mass of plastic
ML floated upon the entire surface of the Ukrainian Black Sea was estimated at 18,559 kg.
Fig. 5.7. Estimated number of ML items per 10 km on the surveyed tracklines in the
Ukrainian Black Sea (vessel-based survey, September–October 2003).
52
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
The primary data on ML composition were obtained but not analysed and published yet. However,
it was calculated that a share of plastic bottles constituted 5.25% in overall number of ML
sightings recorded in the Black Sea area (Fig. 5.8), and their estimated density came to 0.18
bottles/km2 (CV 28%), whereas in the Kerch Strait this factor mounted tenfold to 1.84 bottles/km2
(CV 45%). Thereupon, it was assumed that the general density of floating plastic ML was also in
10 times higher in the strait than in the sea. Taking into consideration this assumption, the
expected general density, absolute amount and aggregate mass of floating plastics were
estimated for Ukrainian waters of the Kerch Strait as follows: 65.7 pieces/km2, 22,667 pieces and
2,652 kg, respectively.
Fig. 5.8. Estimated number of plastic bottles per 10 km on the surveyed tracklines in the
Ukrainian Black Sea (vessel-based survey, September–October 2003).
D. Similar cetacean and ML vessel-based surveys have been carried out by the same joint
Ukrainian and Russian team (“Afalina-2003” project) in the Russian part of the Kerch Strait (August
2003; 517 km2; 200 km of observation effort along 22 tracklines) and Russian territorial waters of
the Black Sea between the strait and Khosta, south of Sochi (October 2003; 7,650 km2; 564 km;
22 tracklines). However, the recorded ML data (in contrast to cetacean data) were not statistically
treated, analysed and published, and additional effort and some financial support are needed to
complete this piece of research.
E. In 2005, the Underwater Cleaning and Awareness Activity (STH, environmental NGO registered
in Istanbul) started underwater inventory of ML in the selected areas within the boundaries of the
city (STH, 2005). A series of 11 diving surveys has been realized during one year in the districts of
Uskudar (January), Kadıköy (February), Ortaköy (April and June), Büyükada (April), Sedef Island
(June), Heybeliada (July), Gölcük (August), Haliç (September), Harem (November), and Karaköy
(December). Although these sites are pertinent to the Istanbul Strait, the gained knowledge could
be useful in view of its possible application in the urbanized and harbour areas located round the
Black Sea.
The method used by underwater cleanup team was random sampling. A total of 1606 ML pieces
under 224 different titles were recorded. After each survey the STH prepared a file including all
data obtained (in the form of inventory list), underwater photo and video images, expert judgment
concerning suspected sources of ML pollution, and practical recommendations. The inventory
53
5.
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON MARINE LITTER IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
lists (see example in Annex 5) lay the groundwork of a database on the sunken ML recorded in
various locations.
The composition of ML items sighted by divers within the water column and on the bottom of
study areas is presented on Fig. 5.9. Most pieces on record (77%) were produced from glass,
plastic and metal.
Plastic
Glass
Metal
Wooden
Porcelain
Textile
Hybrid*
Paper
Other
Total
403
508
327
24
34
40
218
24
28
1606
* Hybrid: objects formed from more than one material
Plastic
Metal
Glass
Wooden
Porcelam
Textile
Hybrid
Other
P
Fig. 5.9. Composition of ML items recorded in the Istanbul Strait by means of underwater
investigation (STH, 2005).
A tendency to ML accumulation on the bottom has been ascertained in some places (e.g., in
Ortaköy at a depth of 8-13 m). Solid wastes cover up the ground along with local communities of
benthic organisms (molluscs, etc.) there. In Karaköy and the Galata Bridge location, the remains of
metal piles and other submerged constructions cause countless fishing lines get caught. Those
scraps of fishing tackle, equipped with fishhooks, represent a direct threat to fishes and some
other animals. A number of living creatures have been saved from the lines by the divers and
much more have been seen dead. The abandoned fishing nets, surrounding the Sedef Island at
about 33 m level, have been recorded and removed out of the water. The organic and inorganic
matter (including solid wastes) filled up the nets hindering normal water circulation, and some
representatives of the marine fauna (including cephalopods and crustaceans) were found
captured by that useless but still “working” fishing gear (STH, 2005).
5.1.2. Data on marine litter in the coastal environment
A. Some research of ML in the coastal environment was conducted in Ukraine by the Brema
Laboratory and Crimean Medical University (Interdependence..., 2003; Birkun and Krivokhizhin,
2006). A total of 12 pedestrian surveys of the stranded cetaceans and washed ashore ML have
been carried out on the unorganized (relatively manless) sandy and pebble beaches of the western
(outskirts of Shtormovoye), south-western (outskirts of Lyubimovka) and south-eastern (outskirts
of Privetnoye) Crimea (Fig. 5.10) during the period from autumn 2002 to summer 2003, including
one survey in November, one – in March, three – in April, one – in May, three – in June, and three –
in July. The measured area of coastal plots, selected randomly for the ML surveying, varied from
1,200 to 18,165 m2 depending on the number (from 4 to 16) of voluntary observers/ML pickers
54
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
involved in data recording. All pieces of ML found within the bounds of every plot were collected,
assorted and weighted (plastic and glass objects were treated separately) and then disposed
through the nearest garbage recipient facilities. Specific indices of ML pollution (number and mass
of pieces per 1 km2 of the beach) were estimated and compared between study areas and
seasons.
Fig. 5.10. Location of study areas (examined plots of the beach) in the Crimea (pedestrian
surveys, November 2002 – July 2003).
Great numerical predominance of plastic ML (80–98% of the recorded pieces) has been
determined in different coastal areas and seasons in comparison with glass ML (2–20%)
represented mainly by broken and unbroken bottles. The density of pollution by polymeric
garbage (including scraps of polyethylene film, plastic bags and bottles, other synthetic ware, etc.)
varied on the beaches from 2,698 to 55,000 pieces/km2, while the density of glass bottles ashore
fluctuated between 280 and 1,455 pieces/km2.
The ML weighting indices varied from 333 to 6,250 kg/km2 (plastics) and from 222 to 1,455 kg/km2
(glass). The average mass of one plastic object contaminating the coastal strip came up to 0.117
kg. This value was used for the estimation of aggregate mass of floating plastic ML in the
Ukrainian Black Sea and Kerch Strait (see Section 5.1.1, C).
The average overall values of ML quantity on the Crimean unorganized beaches were estimated
as follows (M ± m):
•
density of plastic objects – 16,348 ± 5,076 pieces/km2;
•
mass of plastics objects – 1,910 ± 612 kg/km2;
•
density of glass objects (bottles only) – 674 ± 107 pieces/km2;
•
mass of glass objects (including bottles) – 552 ± 96 kg/km2.
A few examples of ML accumulation on the Crimean beaches are shown on Fig. 5.11.
On 10 May 2003, huge quantity of petroleum tar balls (very specific ML item indeed) were found
washed ashore along 30-km-long sandy beach between Cape Еvpatoriyskiy and Lake Donuzlav,
55
5.
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON MARINE LITTER IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
western Crimea. The clots were collected and weighted from the area of 1,600 m2. The
concentration of this contaminant was estimated as high as 11,600 kg per 1 km2 of the beach. The
remote peril of this type of ML consists in the melting of tar balls in the sun, and forming, as a
result, timeproof “masout” spots on the beach (Fig. 5.12).
B. Numerous “spontaneous heaps” of ML have been sighted during aerial surveys conducted by
CHEMBAS in 2003, 2004 and 2005 (see Section 5.1.1, B) along unpopulated (but visited by
unorganized tourists) portions of the Russian Black Sea and Azov Sea coasts. Such ML deposits
are known to be present on sandy northeastern coast of the Kerch Strait (Choushka spit), and also
in Taman–Anapa (Blagoveshchenskaya and Vityashevskaya spits), Anapa–Novorossiysk (Abrau
peninsula), Novorossiysk–Gelendzhik, and Divnomorskoye–Dzhoubga areas. In May 2004 (during
snowmelt floods, before tourist season), a total volume of ML on the coast of Sochi area (from
Shepsi to Psou) was estimated as much as 12,000 m3. Another type of ML accumulations is
peculiar to marshy margins of the Azov Sea and Kerch Strait in the Taganrog Gulf, Dinskoy bay
and Taman Gulf, etc. However, no quantitative information was collected and no analysis was
presented regarding composition of ML in those places.
C. Important data on permanent sources of ML have been published recently by Turkish
specialists (Çelik, 2002; Yıldırım et al., 2004; Berkun et al., 2005). Solid waste management is one
of the main environmental problems in the Black Sea Region. (Çelik, 2002). It was acknowledged
that at the Black Sea coast of Turkey municipal and industrial solid wastes, mixed with hospital
and hazardous wastes, are often dumped on the nearest lowlands and river valleys or into the sea
(Berkun et al., 2005). As mentioned already, the development of an integrated, regional system for
solid waste management in the region is more difficult and costly because of the difficult
topography of the region (Berkun, et al., 2005).
Environmentally dangerous mode of solid wastes disposal is still realized, in particular, via
irregular and uncontrolled landfill sites situated in the immediate proximity to the sea, by some
Black Sea coastal states including Turkey. Solid wastes disposal sites continues to constitute
major source of ML for the Turkish waters and, probably, for the Black Sea in whole, in spite of the
fact that this problem has been highlighted quite many years ago (Berkun, 1991; Tuncer et al.,
1998; Mee and Topping, 1998) and dumping any waste such as garbage, debris, construction
waste, etc. is prohibited on the shore strip according to the Turkish Coastal/Shore Law (1990,
amended in 1992). Uncontrolled landfills are urgent as Solid Waste Management, because they
are the most traditional (and environmentally dangerous) ways of disposal for many years in the
world (Mavropoulos and Kaliampakos, 1999) as well as in Turkey. (Yıldırım et al., 2004).
In this context, Yıldırım et al. (2004) presented a case study regarding the municipal solid waste
landfill site near Zonguldak city, the southwestern Black Sea coast of Turkey (Fig. 5.13), where the
uncontrolled dumping of solid wastes is the actually applied disposal method. The population of
the city and and its two satellites (Kozlu and Kilimli) has been reported round 136,000 in 2004; the
specific solid waste production rate came to 0.64 kg per capita per day (TUGAL, 2002). During
over 30 years, the municipal solid wastes (72.4 ton per day at the average) were deposited on the
landfill site located in Kozlu suburb, between main coastal roadway and the seashore. The area
and bulk volume of the landfill were estimated as 2.5 ha and 75,000 m3, respectively. The landfill
has a tight physical contact with the shoreline of the Black Sea (Fig. 5.14).
For years there was no wall or any other constructions providing stability for the rubbish heap and
preventing rubbish mass transportation into the sea. As a result, the deposited wastes were
subjected to waves, and supposedly huge (but really undefined) amount of potential ML items was
transported annually into the sea as well as scattered along the coastline. (Yıldırım et al., 2004).
The landfill used causes also other problems including the spreading out of plastics and paper by
wind, odours, creating a habitat for insects and rodents, groundwater pollution and producing
landfill gases, as the case for similar landfill areas in other parts of the world (Gonullu, 1999,
Mavropoulos and Kaliampakos, 1999).
56
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Fig. 5.11. Accumulation of wooden and plastic ML on Black Sea coast of the southern
Crimea, Ukraine: the unorganized beach near Rybachye in September 2002
(two left photos) and June 2003 (right photo), photo by A. Birkun, Jr. )
The composition of Zonguldak solid wastes was determined as follows (a total of 2,159 kg has
been studied by means of manual separation and weighing; Yıldırım et al., 2004):
•
organic waste
30.7 %
•
paper and carton
20.0 %
•
plastic
•
ash 10.9 %
•
glass
•
medical (hospital and clinic) waste 6.0 %
•
metal
•
miscellaneous (tire, wood, bone, leather)
•
textile
16.1 %
6.1 %
3.8 %
2.6 %
57
3.8 %
5.
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON MARINE LITTER IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
Fig. 5.12. The beached paper sack with tar balls melting on the heated sand in the vicinity of
Shtormovoye (western Crimea, June 2003),
photo by A. Birkun, Jr.
Sinop
Bafra
Zonguldak
Samsun
Ordu
Hopa
Giresun
Trabzon Rize
Fig. 5.13. Main towns discharging solid wastes at the Black Sea coast of Turkey
(after Yıldırım et al., 2004; Berkun et al., 2005).
It was concluded that the landfill in Zonguldak province may cause potential threats throughout
the Black Sea region because of dissemination of ML and other contaminants by sea currents. It
was estimated that the amount of solid wastes will increase in this site during the nearest 15 years
58
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
proportionally to population and consumption growth, and, probably, would result in additional
545,000 m3 of the dumped matter by 2018 (Yıldırım et al., 2004). However, active measures have
been undertaken recently by the Municipality with strong support from the government, by
constructing a wall as a barrier to avert waste washing from the landfill into the sea as well as
regular storage facilities.
Fig. 5.14 Enormous deposit of ML represented by the landfill near Zonguldak.
Human figures on the coast suggest that a height of the waste dump is not less than 20 m (upper photo). Waves
demolish it shifting ML staff into the sea (lower photo). Both pictures are taken from Yıldırım et al. (2004).
59
5.
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON MARINE LITTER IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
In the countries around the Black Sea coast, many cities discharge their solid wastes and
wastewaters into the shallow sea waters, mostly without treatment and outfall systems and some
cities along the Turkish Black Sea coast are no exception to this rule. (Berkun et al., 2005; see Fig.
5.13). In some areas, municipalities used filling the coastal zone with solid wastes, allegedly, for
the purpose to gain some extra “land” expanded towards the sea. As a result, at present some
uncontrolled landfills protrude rather far into the sea: water depths along the coastline, shaped by
the heaps of solid wastes, run up to 10 m in places (Berkun et al., 2005). These sites are not
protected from waves and, thus, serve as stationary sources of unknown (but admittedly large)
quantities of ML.
Besides, according to available data (Table 5.2) the problem of solid wastes is presently seriously
taken under the control of the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
60
64 979
168 767
322 460
37 183
58 544
11
64
32
9
8
158 060
56
89 083
380 446
45
301 037
123 392
26
47
-
125 881
21
21
-
73 4 470 687
-
-
-
-
-
15
-
-
-
-
-
87 886
-
35 548
A
25
B
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
148 725
B
A
8
8
26
16
7
17
8
39
11
25
17
17
11
10
58 544
33 949
291 453
115 463
20 076
136 267
67 792
150 099
140 422
122 870
117 384
148 123
66 393
28 900
B
Metropolitan Municipality
municipality dumping site
dumping site
12
A
Total
disposal
A
-
-
1
6
30
-
7
7
6
3
-
-
1
6
-
-
-
732
9 786
-
3 234
31 007
22 763
-
4 825
3 376
5 152
36 435
B
Another
municipality's
dumping site
-
-
B
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
30
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
200 898
-
-
56 4 156 395
A
Controlled
landfill
A
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
151 158
B
Composting
plant
A
-
-
-
2
-
-
-
2
-
-
1
2
3
1
-
-
-
302
-
-
-
586
-
-
5 612
1 926
1 159
579
B
Burning
in an
open
area
A
-
-
-
2
-
2
-
3
-
-
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1 419
-
794
-
568
-
-
688
B
River
and lake
disposal
61
Number of municipalities (Metropolitan municipality means population larger than 750 000; Municipality – population larger than 5000).
Artvin
Giresun
İstanbul
Kastamonu
Kırklareli
Kocaeli
Ordu
Rize
Samsun
Sinop
Trabzon
Zonguldak
Bartın
Karabük
Provinces
Solid waste disposed
A
-
-
-
8
3
4
4
3
-
-
1
-
1
1
-
-
-
11 940
44 876
9 759
6 740
988
-
-
2 196
-
165
1 677
B
Burial
A
1
-
-
-
7
1
2
2
3
4
1
-
3
4
-
-
-
16 881
26
667
11 174
667
2 692
522
-
12 353
10 383
4 392
B
(1) Other
(1)
Table 5.2. Amount of solid waste by destination, 2004 Data received from web page of the Turkish Statistical Institute (www.turkstat.gov.tr)
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
5.
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON MARINE LITTER IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
Amount of solid waste (tonnes/year) D. Since 2002, the Turkish Marine Environment Protection
Association (TURMEPA, Istanbul) represents Turkish environmental NGOs in the International
Coastal Cleanup Campaign (ICC, 2002). Following this initiative, every year from 5,000 to 6,000
volunteers, organized by TURMEPA and its partners, took part in coastal cleanup operations in
the populated areas along the Turkish coasts of the Mediterranean, Aegean, Black Seas and
Turkish Straits System. In 2003 and 2004, such operations have been carried out in 27-31 cities
and settlements including eight localities at the Black Sea coast: Akçakoca, Ereğli, Giresun, Hopa,
Inebolu, Rize, Samsun and Trabzon. The volunteers collected ML items upon selected coastal
plots (mainly public beaches) of known length, sorted those items, weighted and recorded them.
According to available statistics, a total of 2009 individuals collected 8,215.4 kg of ML along 21.3
km of the Black Sea shore in 2003. It constituted 385.7 kg per 1 km at the average (in comparison
with 326.0 kg/km for all Turkish sites examined), however, the concentration of collected ML
varied in different places within wide range: from 58.4 kg/km in Rize to 1,395.1 kg/km in Trabzon.
The composition of ML (for all sites involved, not only for the Black Sea localities), with regard to
its possible sources, was estimated as is shown on Fig. 5.15.
As it follows from this estimation, the shoreline and recreational activities along with smokingrelated activities constitute the two major sources of ML contamination of the coast. These
activities taken together, allegedly, caused 95.5-96.8% of ML pieces found on the seashore, while
the dumping activities were considered responsible for 0.8-1.1% of ML objects only. (Comments
from the Regional consultant: Such ratio seems to be very questionable (strongly biased) with its
particular reference to the Turkish Black Sea territories because of numerous solid waste dumping
sites situated there in direct contact with coastal and marine environment (see Section 5.1.2, C). It
seems more likely that at least some or, perhaps, most floating ML items (such as plastic bags,
bottles and crockery) were trasported by sea currents and winds from the uncontrolled landfills to
the localities where they were recorded).
E. In 2001, two environmental NGOs - the Greener Bourgas Foundation (GBF; Bourgas, Bulgaria)
and Mare Nostrum (Constantsa, Romania) implemented a project entitled as the “Clean Beaches –
first commitment for sustainable tourism development” (supported by the Regional Environmental
Center for Central and Eastern Europe). The common methodology has been elaborated for ML
coastal surveying, and practical guidelines were prepared in the form of a handbook for the
assessment of ML pollution on the seashore (Beach Survey Strategy, 2001).
The Bulgarian team monitored five popular beaches in Bourgas, Pomorie and Sozopol during
March–July 2001. The volunteers collected, classified and recorded various ML items and
prepared a detailed report which is enclosed as Annex 6.
Besides, during the period from 15 June to 15 July, more than 1,500 visitors of the Bulgarian
beaches were interviewed on base of preliminary elaborated questionnaire. As a rule, the holidaymakers appreciated climatic conditions of the beaches but most of them (more than 60 or even
90% of the visitors) answered that they do not like rubbish on the beach. The opinion of the beach
visitors was that ML strongly (or very strongly) affects quality of the beach.
The recorded numbers of ML items are categorized in compliance with human activities –
presumable sources of ML on the seashore (TURMEPA, pers. comm. to E. Okus).
National bibliographies on ML in the Black Sea region are still scant (Annex 7). There are few peer
reviewed scientific publications on this topic (all of them are by Turkish authors), and most of
these papers concern the solid waste problem mainly.
62
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
2003 International Coastal Cleanup
- Land Shoreline and Recreational Activities
0.5%
Ocean/Waterway Activities
1.1%
Smoking-Related Activities
Dumping Activities
Medical/Personal Hygiene
44.7%
50.8%
2.8%
2004 International Coastal Cleanup
- Land Shoreline and Recreational Activities
0.6%
Ocean and Waterway Activities
0.8%
Smoking-Related Activities
Dumping Activities
Medical and Personal Hygiene
46.2%
50.6%
1.8%
Fig. 5.15. Composition of ML collected in Turkey on the coasts of the Mediterranean,
Aegean and Black Seas and Turkish Straits System within the International Coastal Cleanup
Campaign in 2003 and 2004.
63
5.
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON MARINE LITTER IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
5.2. EXPERT ASSESSMENT OF MARINE LITTER POLLUTION
National ML consultants were requested to provide expert evaluation (make their own appraisal)
regarding the state of ML pollution in their countries. With that end in view, they responded to four
questions:
(a) How do you assess levels of ML pollution last year (in 2005)?
(b) How do you assess general trend of ML pollution during last decade?
(c) Can you specify five primary sources of ML and five all-important hot spots?
(d) Can you specify five principle items (constituents) composing ML?
The answers on these questions are summarized in Tables 5.3–5.9 presented below.
Table 5.3. Experts’ views on the level of ML pollution in 2005 in the marine environment
Country
Low
Moderate
Sustainable
High
Very high
yes
Bulgaria
Georgia
Romania
Russia
Turkey
Ukraine
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Comment: The medium scores (“Moderate” or “Sustainable”) conferred by all national consultants, possibly
reflect general uncertainty (a lack of solid scientific data) about actual levels of ML contamination in the
marine environment.
Table 5.4. Experts’ views on the level of ML pollution in 2005 in the coastal environment
Country
Low
Moderate
Sustainable
High
Very high
yes
Bulgaria
Georgia
Romania
Russia
Turkey
Ukraine
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Comment: As it was noted above, there was no ML research activity in Georgia and Romania. That could be
a possible reason why these consultants are more straitened in their inferences than their colleagues from
other Black Sea countries.
Table 5.5. Experts’ evaluation of the general trend of ML pollution during last 10 years
(1996-2005) in the marine environment
Country
Bulgaria
Georgia
Romania
Russia
Turkey
Ukraine
Decrease
Growth
No significant
variation
No comment
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Yes
Comment: The continuing accumulation of solid wastes on the uncontrolled landfills may cause a growth of
ML in the marine environment due to spontaneous release of the wastes from the dumps into the sea by
erosive factors such as waves, rain and wind. At the same time, the sea currents and wind play a role as ML
dissemination factors contributing to the transboundary transport of floating wastes.
64
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Table 5.6. Experts’ evaluation of the general trend of ML pollution during last 10 years
(1996-2005) in the coastal environment
Country
Decrease
Growth
No significant
variation
No comment
yes
Bulgaria
Georgia
Romania
Russia
Turkey
Ukraine
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Comment: Turkish National Consultant indicates that the data published previously by some Turkish
specialists (Yıldırım et al., 2004; Berkun et al., 2005) is quite outdated because in the recent years Turkey
undertook a number of very active political steps and investment projects for combating pollution from solid
waste disposal and improvement of waste management (see 4.2, pages 45-48).
Table 5.7. Primary sources of ML ranked according to the experts’ scores
Source
Municipal
garbage/sewages
(household waste)
Marine transport
and ports
(shipping waste)
Recreation
activities in
coastal area
(litter produced by
local population
and tourists)
River run-off
Industry (incl.
shipyard works)
Fishery (incl.
abandoned nets)
Coastal
construction (incl.
house-building)
Agriculture
Transboundary
transfer of floating
ML
Bulgaria Georgia Romania Russia Turkey Ukraine Total
5
5
5
5
3
4
27
4
3
2
3
5
5
22
3
4
3
4
1
3
18
1
–
–
5
5
–
1
–
1
–
4
–
11
6
1
1
4
–
–
–
6
2
2
–
2
–
–
6
–
–
–
–
2
–
–
–
–
1
–
–
2
1
Comment: River run-off and transboundary transfer of floating ML by sea currents were mentioned by some
national consultants as the primary sources of ML pollution, although they are not parental (initial) sources,
but means of ML transportation mainly. Anyway, ML transfer by sea currents seems to be not less important
in the Black Sea region, than ML discharge by rivers.
65
5.
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION ON MARINE LITTER IN THE BLACK SEA REGION
Table 5.8. ML hot spots indicated by the national consultants
Country
Bulgaria
ML hot spots (ranked in order of their importance)
1. Coastal cities (including seaside resort complexes)
2. Ports
3. Navigation routes
4. Industrial zones along the beaches of Bourgas and Varna
5. Wild beaches and estuaries of the rivers
Georgia
1. Batumi landfill
2. Port of Batumi
3. Port of Poti
4. Kobuleti landfill
5. Mouth of Chorokhi river*
Romania
1. Coastal cities
2. Fishing areas
3. Recreation areas
4. Navigation routes
5. Shipyards in Constantsa and Mangalia
Russia
1. River valleys and mouths**
2. Beaches
3. Ports and anchorage areas***
4. Nearshore bottom of urbanized areas****
5. Coastal waters between Sochi and Tuapse
Turkey
1. Yeşilırmak delta and basin
2. Samsun area (including Samsun harbour)
3. Kızılırmak delta and basin
4. Industrial areas (Zonguldak and Giresun)
5. Touristic areas (Sinop)
Ukraine
1. Coastal cities (Odessa, Sevastopol, Kerch)
2. Recreation areas in Crimea (Yalta, Sudak, Alushta, Balaklava, etc.)
3. Unorganized beaches of the Crimea peninsula*
4. Sandy spits of the north-western Black Sea and northern Azov Sea*
5. Eastuaries of rivers (Danube, Dnieper, Boug, etc.)*
* Hot spots added by the regional ML consultant in line with his own experience.
** Russian coast of the Black Sea between Divnomorskoe and Psou is the most abundant in mountain rivers.
*** In particular, harbours of Taganrog, Yeysk and Temryuk in the Azov Sea are burdened with coal debris
and scrap-iron.
**** In particular, there are some sunk vessels and abandoned gear within the shelf area between Taman and
Anapa.
66
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Table 5.9. Basic groups of ML ingredients ranked according to the experts’ scores
Type of ML
items
Plastic wares
(bottles, bags,
etc.)
Paper and carton
(including various
package staff and
cigarette stumps)
Foodwastes
Metal objects (tins
and cans, scrap
metal)
Rubber goods
(including old
tires)
Textile rags
Wooden objects
Glass (bottles,
etc.)
Medical wastes
Leather (old
shoes, etc.)
Abandoned fishing
and sailing gear
Hazardous wastes
Bulgaria Georgia Romania Russia
Turkey
Ukraine
In total
5
5
5
5
5
5
30
4
–
4
–
4
4
16
2
–
–
–
5
2
3
–
–
4
–
–
9
7
1
2
–
3
–
–
6
1
–
3
1
–
–
1
4
–
–
–
–
1
–
–
–
–
3
5
5
4
1
–
–
–
3
–
–
3
–
–
–
–
4
3
–
1
–
2
–
–
3
–
–
–
–
2
–
2
67
6.
6.
GAPS AND NEEDS IN COVERAGE OF MARINE LITTER MANAGEMENT
GAPS AND NEEDS IN COVERAGE OF MARINE
LITTER MANAGEMENT
The major gaps were already identified in Section 4.2 of the report by means of questioning
National Consultants on ML about the outputs of ML-related projects and other relevant activities
implemented in their countries in 1996−2006 (see Table 4.3). Besides, based on available
knowledge, the National Consultants were requested to set priorities – “primary”, “secondary” and
“next to 0” (least important) – in the proposed checklist of 18 actions (or, better, categories of
actions) which can promote, in theory, the addressing and mitigation of ML problem. The request
was accompanied with common suggestion to add any other activities to the list if necessary.
However, most experts (except the Bulgarian one) did not apply to this option, and that is,
probably, indicative of the checklist’s completeness. Results of the prioritization provided by the
National Consultants are shown in Table 6.1.
According to the summarized scores based on individual estimates by the National Consultants,
at least seven (but probably more) high priority actions should be taken into careful consideration.
They are: (1) correction of waste management policy; (2) improvement of legal and administrative
instruments; (3) development of sustainable ML management; (4) development of ML monitoring
methodology; (5) national assessment of ML pollution; (6) preparation of proposals to prevent and
reduce ML; and (7) preparation of awareness and educational tools.
6.1. REGIONAL LEVEL
The Special Session on ML was organized by the BSC Permanent Secretariat from 9-10 October
2006 in Istanbul within the 15th Meeting of the BSC Advisory Group on Pollution Monitoring and
Assessment. This meeting, with participation of 22 national and regional experts on marine
pollution, was conducted following the BSC Work Plan and the Memorandum of Understanding
concluded in 2005 between the BSC Permanent Secretariat and the UNEP Regional Seas
Coordinating Office in order to develop the Regional Activity on ML in the Black Sea within the
framework of the BS SAP. Minutes of the ML Special Session are attached as Annex 8.
The pre-final draft of this report was presented as well as the National ML Reports. Special
attention was devoted to the results of expert evaluation of priorities in coverage of ML problem
on the national level (see Section 6.1). However, it was noted that the summarized “national”
scores do not necessarily reflect the ML priorities on the regional scale. At the same time,
participants of the meeting agreed that the major gaps and needs in coverage of ML management
on the regional level descend from the national ones, thus, the regional gaps and needs could be
summarized as follows:
(a)
underdevelopment of waste management policy and, particularly, its incompleteness
and low efficiency in respect of ML issues;
(b)
imperfection and disbalance of legal and administrative instruments developed for
solid waste and ML management;
(c)
lack of common ML monitoring and assessment approach based on the standardized
methodologies and assessment criteria;
(d)
deficiency of practical measures destined to prevent and reduce ML pollution;
(e)
technological lag in respect of contemporary methods and devices for collection,
processing, recycling and disposal of solid wastes and ML;
(f)
insufficiency of public awareness/education regarding ML problem;
68
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
(g)
low level of involvement of general public and private sector in combatting ML
pollution;
(h)
gaps in professional knowledge on ML issues among managers and authorities
involved in the protection of the Black Sea against pollution.
Table 6.1. Identification of priorities by national consultants on ML
(P – primary, S – secondary, U – unimportant, “—” – not assessed)
Actions
Improvement of legal and
administrative instruments
Correction of waste management
policy
Development of sustainable ML
management
Development of ML monitoring
methodology
Organising and maintaining ML
monitoring facilities
National assessment of ML
pollution
Preparation of proposals to prevent
and reduce ML
Development of
campaigns/services for ML
collecting
Elaboration of ML collecting
technologies/devices
Elaboration of ML processing
technologies/devices
Development of port reception
facilities for garbage
Involvement of stakeholders in antiML partnership
Training of officers involved in ML
management
Preparation of professional
sectorial guidelines
Preparation of awareness and
educational tools
Preparation of 'responsible
citizenship' guidelines
Initiation of awareness-raising
campaign in media
Promotion of public participation in
cleanup activities
Research of social and economic
costs of ML
Implementation of “polluter pays”
principle for ML
Bulgaria Georgia Romania Russia Turkey Ukraine
P
P
P
S
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
S
P
P
P
P
P
S
P
P
S
P
S
P
S
P
P
P
P
S
P
P
S
P
P
P
P
P
S
P
S
U
S
P
S
S
S
U
S
P
S
S
S
P
S
P
P
P
S
S
S
P
P
S
S
S
—
P
S
S
P
U
S
S
P
S
P
S
S
P
P
P
P
P
P
S
S
S
P
P
S
S
P
S
P
S
P
S
S
P
P
U
P
S
P
—
—
—
—
—
P
—
—
—
—
—
69
7.
7.
PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES
PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES
7.1. NATIONAL LEVEL
Bulgaria (Atanaska Nikolova)
Approach 1: Direct removal of ML or beach/marine cleanup. This is expensive, laborious and only
locally applicable approach.
Approach 2: Policy responses to the marine and coastal pollution. Potentially the most effective
activity, via legislation and economic instruments development:
•
•
policy measures to be developed and implemented to aid in preventing, controlling
and reducing the ML problem in the marine and coastal areas;
target specific responsibility groups, such as authorities, business, scientists, NGOs,
etc.
Approach 3: Public education and awareness raising campaigns directed towards different target
groups and aimed to build “responsible” behaviour. This will have long-term effect.
Title of proposal:
Elaboration of Coastal and marine waste management strategy(ies) and action plan(s).
Aim (objectives):
•
clear definition and separation of responsibilities, authorities and resources needful for
management/control of ML pollution and implementation of cleanup activities;
•
development and implementation of innovative policy approaches and practical
measures to aid in preventing, controlling and reducing of litter pollution in Blac Sea
marine and coastal areas. Development of effective legislation and economic
instruments, and voluntary incentives for ML prevention and reduction;
•
target and involve in specific anti-ML activities the responsibility groups (such as the
source industries, environmental NGOs, national and local authorities, research
institutions, etc.).
Suggested activities:
•
detailed analysis of current constraints and opportunities of institutional and
legislative/ regulatory framework for the management and the most adequate policy
measures to confine the beach littering;
•
incorporation of the coastal and marine waste management strategy(ies) in the coastal
zone management plans (or other relevant plans and programs);
•
partnership for ML prevention: voluntary agreement between representatives of major
stakeholders to cooperate for the protection of the marine and coastal environment
against ML should be developed; waste management strategies and ICZM plans
should include ML items and involve concerned groups including representatives of
central and local authorities; source industries, environmental NGOs and research
institutions;
•
introduction of adequate practical tools for the prevention of ML pollution (re-usable
packaging, new materials for erosion control, etc.);
70
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
•
public education and awareness raising campaign should be integral part of the ML
strategy.
Potential implementing organisations:
•
BMEW (to establish a ML Expert Working group, including representatives of relevant
institutions, BMT, BMH, etc.), other authorities, research institutes, NGOs,
businessmen.
•
Preliminarily estimated cost: €50,000.
•
Possible source of funding: BMEW and international donors.
Georgia (Tamar Gamgebeli)
It would be relevant if waste recycling or waste incinerating plants are constructed in the coastal
zone. However, taking into account that this is connected with large investments, this can be
considered as a program of long-term perspective.
Since the mentioned measures are very costly (and taking into account that payment ability of the
population is very low), the most necessary easy measures should be carried out at the existing
landfills. The involvement of private sector directly oriented at coastal ML would be most
appropriate.
At the first stage of a pilot project, the ML monitoring should be implemented within the
framework of some governmental structure or program in order to obtain reliable information on
the levels of ML pollution. In parallel to this, it would be useful if the inventory of ML according to
its types (municipal, medical, construction, etc.) is carried out.
Also, public awareness and public participation projects, TV programs, booklets, popularisation of
garbage bins for society (for teenagers by well known and favourite person with the help of TV
advertising rollers) shall be implemented. Educational programs for schools are also very
important.
For the addressing ML problem in Georgia, at least one research pilot project should be
developed. Such project could be, probably, implemented on any one section of the coast at 10
different sites of 0,5m2 each. The project should include quantitative and qualitative evaluation of
the level of ML pollution.
Thus, projects that would help to address and solve the ML problem could be as follows:
1) Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of ML pollution on the seacoast ($10,000);
2) Improvement of legal and administrative instruments ($5,000);
3) Public awareness raising ($12,000);
4) Installation of garbage incinerators in Georgian Ports of Batumi and Poti ($300,000);
5) Installation of dustbins and refuse bins in the recreational areas ($100,000);
6) Construction of small garbage recycling and incinerating plants for municipal waste
services ($3,500,000).
Implementing organizations might be various: government, NGOs, private sector; as for source of
funding international financial institutions will be necessary for financial support of costly projects
(like indicated in 4. 5. and 6), where the government could be co-financier. As for cheaper projects
the source of financing should be the government.
71
7.
PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES
Romania (Alexei Atudorey)
The National Standard SR 13493/2004 “Waste Characterization – Methodology for Household
Waste Characterization – ROMECOM” is implemented in Romania. The standard could be used
for the characterization (quantities, composition, humidity, calorific value, etc.) of ML collected
from the recreational areas. Besides, guidelines for development of the database are included in
the standard. It could be suggested that this standard is implemented in all Black Sea countries.
This will assure the unified ML research/monitoring, collection and disposal activities in the the
region.
Title of proposal:
Implementation of the unified methodology of ML research, monitoring, prevention and
decreasing in the Black Sea region.
Aim (objectives):
Implementation of the ML Management/Action Plan in the Black Sea region.
The results obtained will be based on the same methods, same system for processing ML data
and will assure accumulation of the standardized ML information in each country for future
activities, such as: the development of ML monitoring methodology, preparation of proposals to
prevent and reduce ML, elaboration of ML collecting and processing technologies and devices,
development of sustainable ML management.
Suggested activities:
•
elaboration and implementation of a unified standard for ML characterization;
•
elaboration and implementation of a unified system for ML monitoring and
development of ML database at the local and national level;
•
elaboration and implementation of a unified system for developing technical norms for
the prevention and reduction of ML pollution;
•
elaboration and implementation of a unified system for developing technical norms for
ML collecting and processing technologies and devices;
•
elaboration of a unified “handbook” for the implementation of ML Management/Action
Plan”.
The activities of the project could be performed as:
Phase 1 preparation of the proposed documents based on the international and national
experience; the documents will be elaborated by a working group with members
(national experts) from all Black Sea counties;
Phase 2 a “case study” in one city for each country (in cooperation with national and local
administration, industrial, social and sanitation companies, research and development
institutes, universities, NGOs, etc.);
Phase 3 analysis of the results obtained during the “case studies”; the analysis will take
into consideration local features of each city (e.g., number of tourists, different
industrial activities, level of industrial activities, municipal prognosis for the future five
years, etc.);
Phase 4 preparation of the National Action/Management Plans on ML in the final form; the
Regional Action Plan on ML should be included in the BS SAP;
72
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Phase 5 implementation of the Regional and National Action/Management Plans on ML
and monitoring of the results during three years;
Phase 6 analysis of the results after three years and improvement of the Action/
Management Plans on ML. This phase may represent a new project.
Potential implementing organization(s):
•
national and local administrations in all Black Sea countries;
•
industrial, social and sanitation companies performing activities in the costal zone;
•
research and development institutes;
•
universities;
•
NGOs.
Preliminarily estimated cost:
€ 600,000 in total
or €100,000 for each country (including €10,000 for dissemination of the results).
Possible source of funding:
international donors.
Turkey (Erdogan Okus)
Recommendations:
•
all municipalities should separate solid waste collected from beaches, keep records of
the amounts and work accordingly;
•
all ports must establish a waste reception facilities under the Regulation on Reception
of Waste from the Ships and Waste Control;
•
All beaches should be encouraged and supported to implement a criteria of Blue Flag
by the responsible organizations;
•
municipalities should separate domestic solid waste in source by collecting recyclable
wastes such as glass, plastic, paper, etc. separately;
•
research vessels in the Black Sea should be encouraged to do studies on surveying
the floating ML11;
•
ML that comes into trawl during fish inventory studies should be separated, weighted
and calculated as the amount per area (it is especially important in metropolitan cities
and areas close to estuaries);
•
adverse effects of ML should be evaluated on the international level12;
•
ML studies at sea, on the coasts and in the estuaries should be carried out in order to
assess the levels of ML pollution on the regional scale;
•
a common data bank should be established for the data obtained by the monitoring of
ML and its effects at sea, on the seashore and in the rivers;
11
The Institute of Marine Science and Management of the Istanbul University is going to start in 2006 some new research
activities within the context of “R/V ARAR Black Sea Pollution Monitoring Study”.
12
As an example, in 1988 more than 450 barrels were dumped onto the Black Sea from an Italian flagged ship. Today, 327
of these barrels are kept in Samsun and 127 of them are in Sinop. This example shows the international dimension of ML.
The Ministry organized to relegate barrels and IZAYDAS committed as consultancy. The LEMONDIS Company is in
Germany committed to dispose of barrels in the Europe.
73
7.
•
PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES
stock quarries that have been operated for the coastal highway can be converted into
landfill areas.
Other suggestions:
•
all residential areas should contain landfill sites;
•
all beaches should be viewed and cleaned regularly;
•
in order to raise public awareness, educational activities should be incresed in
schools and informative programs for housewifes should be prepared with the
support of local TV and newspapers;
•
special marine protection areas should be established in the Black Sea and all
activities like fishing, sea traffic, tourism, etc. should be stopped in these areas;
•
waste from ships should be collected in ports regularly and treated properly;
•
ML should be prevented in order to protect marine and coastal species and their
habitats;
•
monitoring systems such as national and regional observatories should be established
in order to ensure the pollution control;
•
‘Coastal Area Management Plans’ should be developed, the appropriate report for
Turkey should be reviewed;
•
study on the open sea, coast and estuary should be monitored and fixed a pollution
condition in the Black Sea Region;
•
regional strategies on solid waste, medical waste and hazardous waste should be
developed and implemented.
Recommendations and proposals submitted by Turkish environmental NGOs could be
summarized as follows:
•
to raise public awareness on ML issues (especially among students and children, ship
and smaller vessels crews), particularly, by means of education and cleanup
campaigns, and exhibitions of ML collected due to the coastal, marine and
underwater cleanup operations.
The restoration of uncontrolled landfills is an urgent task for Turkey. In order to rehabilitate such
site in Zonguldak and control the pollution raised from it, the following activities have been
proposed by Y. Yıldırım et al. (2004): that in many aspects coincided with recommendations of
national consultant:
13
•
solid waste evacuation to the site should be stopped and a new "landfill site" must be
established according to the environmental regulations;
•
run off rain water collection and control system should be constructed to control
surface run off;
•
suitable trees should be planted all over the field to prevent erosion and to improve
the aesthetic view;
•
a retaining wall should be constructed to provide stability for the rubbish heap and to
prevent rubbish mass transportation through the sea13;
•
a revetment or seawall should be constructed to prevent the retaining wall and landfill
from wave effects;
•
identification of the composition of solid wastes storaged on the landfill (based on
properties of materials) should be carried out;
This wall is already constructed in 2005-2006.
74
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
•
monitoring of physicochemical and biological processes inside the landfill and main
processes affecting waste volume should be developed;
•
to investigate the overall behaviour of the landfill (including geophysical research and
biogas measurement);
•
recreational studies must be carried out in the landfill site.
Title of proposal:
Celebration of the Black Sea Day’06
Aim (objectives):
During the Celebration of the Black Sea Day (BSD) in Turkey to highlight importance of the
protection of the Black Sea against ML pollution and to increase public awareness and awareness
of decision makers on the Turkish coast on this issue.
The aim of the International BSD activities could be to increase public awareness regarding the
Black Sea pollution problems and possible recovery actions concerning ML; to evaluate the latest
local and national activities on the management of ML.
Suggested activities:
To celebrate the BSD as a week. The activities will start from Istanbul and spread to Samsun,
Zonguldak, Giresun, Trabzon and Artvin areas. The activities will include:
•
cleanup campaign,
•
press conference,
•
panels and receptions,
•
TV programmes,
•
fishermen seminars,
•
preparation of educational materials for students,
•
seminar for housewifes,
•
new slogan and logo for the BSD,
•
publishing special bulletin on ML,
•
concerts.
Potential implementing organization(s):
NGO’s from the Black Sea coast, Regional Directorates of the Ministry of Environment and
Forestry, Private companies.
Preliminarily estimated cost: $15,000
Possible source of funding: UNEP, BSERP, Ministry’s budget.
7.2. REGIONAL LEVEL
Participants of the Special Session on ML within the 15th Meeting of the BSC Advisory Group on
Pollution Monitoring and Assessment (Istanbul, 9-10 October 2006) were invited to propose their
own list of high priority actions to be included in the Regional ML Action Plan. The “brain
75
7.
PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES
storming” approach was applied to complete this work. Finally, the participants agreed that
principal actions and activities which should be included in the Action Plan are as follows:
•
improvement of national waste management policies (to introduce measures to
reduce ML pollution into national waste management policies);
•
improvement of legal and administrative instruments for ML as a part of national
waste management policies (to introduce necessary amendments related to ML into
new LBS protocol of the Bucharest Convention);
•
development of the regional and national ML assessment and monitoring schemes
using common methodologies and assessment criteria (to develop methodologies for
monitoring and assessment of floating, submerged and coastal litter; to organize and
maintain ML monitoring facilities);
•
developing and implementing measures to prevent and reduce ML pollution (to
prepare proposals and relevant implementation programs; to construct and improve
port reception facilities for garbage; to close down dumping sites and landfills in the
coastal water protection zone as defined in national legislation; to address and
mitigate ghost fishing);
•
raising public awareness and improvement of public education (to prepare awareness
and educational tools; to organize public campaigns; to initiate awareness-raising
campaign in media; to prepare 'responsible citizenship' guidelines);
•
strengthening public/private partnership in combatting ML pollution;
•
implementation of the best available technologies in order to collect, process, recycle
and dispose ML;
•
improvement of professional skills and knowledge on the management of ML (to
prepare professional sectorial guidelines; to organize a training for officers involved in
ML management).
Special note on the Black Sea regional ML survey
It could be recommended that the line transect methodology and Distance analysis (Buckland et
al., 1993) are applied for further development of ML research and monitoring at sea by means of
the vessel-based and aerial surveys conducted over different coastal and offshore areas,
preferably on the Black Sea regional scale.
It seems to be reasonable from scientific and economical points, if the first basin-wide ML survey
will be carried out simultaneously with the Black Sea cetaceans’ basin-wide survey initiated and
promoted by the BSC Permanent Secretariat and ACCOBAMS. The project proposal was
prepared and submitted to the BSC Secretariat in December 2005. It was supported by several
meetings of the international and national experts and by the Scientific Committee of the
International Whaling Commission (St. Kitts, May 2006). The 4th Meeting of the ACCOBAMS
Scientific Committee (Monaco, November 2006) has endorsed the most recent version of the
proposal and provided appropriate recommendation for the Black Sea Commission.
76
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
CONCLUSIONS
1. The overloading of the Black Sea marine and coastal environment with ML constitutes one of
the most urgent and difficult environmental problems in the region. Geographical scope of this
problem, which is focused on the Black Sea proper and its coasts, extends over the entire
catchment area of the Black Sea drainage basin. However, so far ML problem is not properly
addressed and managed on the regional and national levels. The dissemination of floating and
suspended ML by wind and sea currents represents a transboundary threat.
2. The ML problem is originated almost completely from the problem of solid waste pollution.
These two problems are closely linked to major problems of public health, conservation of the
environment, and sustainable development in the region. ML originates from various land- and
sea-based sources as a result of manifold human activities and, evidently, causes multivectorial
negative impact on the population, wild life, abiotic nature and some sectors of economy (e.g., the
tourism, fishery and marine traffic). At the same time, it seems very likely that the land-based solid
wastes constitute the major source of ML in the Black Sea.
3. Widespread IUU fishing can be considered as a peculiar type of ML pollution in the Black Sea
region. Illegal fishing nets and nets which were discarded or abandoned cause the so-called
“ghost fishing”. Admittedly high concentrations of fixed and floating IUU fishing gear in the shelf
area result in the reduction of habitat space, formation of obstacles on migration ways and
enhancement of incidental mortality (by-catch) of cetaceans, fishes and crustaceans.
4. Black Sea ML is a matter of regulation to some extent by a series of legal acts aimed to
harmonize various human activities on the international, regional and national levels. However, up
to now there is no any jural instrument dedicated specifically to the management of ML problem in
the Black Sea marine and coastal environment. Neither the concept of ML as a serious problem or
indeed as a law term are formally accepted or even well-known in the Black Sea community.
5. The Black Sea states are the parties to several conventions which are relevant to the
management and mitigation of ML problem. The Bucharest Convention, MARPOL 73/78 and the
Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their
Disposal are ratified by all six Black Sea states, whereas the Convention for the Prevention of
Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (the London Convention) is ratified by
Bulgaria, Russia and Ukraine only.
6. All Black Sea riparian states are in transition process of developing and updating their national
instruments aimed at combatting marine pollution including ML/solid waste component. Actual
rate of this process and concrete instruments developed are quite different in different countries.
However, general trends of this process regarding the ML problem are common: (a) to prohibit
any deliberate discharge of potential ML at sea and on the shore; (b) to improve solid waste
collection, processing, storage, disposal and recycling facilities; and (c) to enhance governmental
control of above mentioned activities.
7. National policies in the Black Sea states are aimed at waste minimization, reuse and recycling,
and recovery of landfills. The major legislative and regulatory tools for waste management are
adequately developed in the Black Sea countries, and include basic laws and regulations. Bulgaria
and Romania, which were accepted to the EU in January 2007, transpose relevant EU directives
and standards into their national legislation. One of the main management problems in most Black
Sea countries is the failure in full application of the existing laws and regulations.
8. A wide variety of governmental organizations, NGOs and business establishments are
concerned about marine and coastal pollution in the Black Sea states at the national and local
level. Most of those entities, represented by ministerial and municipal structures and services,
marine and sanitary inspectorates, research institutions and universities, port administrations,
various agencies, companies and enterprises, and amateur ecological associations, are involved
(or can be involved) in the activities addressing and combatting ML problem. The existing
77
CONCLUSIONS
institutional arrangements are in need of improvement, consolidation and harmonization of their
activities on the regional and national levels.
9. So far, there is no any Black Sea regional and national strategy, action plan or programme that
is specifically devoted to address, restrain and solve the ML problem. However, during the period
from 1996−2007 there were several international and Black Sea regional programmes and projects
which were partly or marginally concerned in ML. The BS SAP (1996, amended in 2002) seems to
be the most appropriate strategic framework that could be supplemented with specific ML items
of the regional significance. Some strategic documents of national importance (e.g., environmental
strategies for the coastal zone and waters, waste management programmes, etc.) are concerned
in ML problem at least in part. Besides, several ML-related projects were implemented during the
last decade by environmental NGOs on voluntary basis.
10. During the last decade, some governmental and private institutions and NGOs carried out ML
research using different approaches and methods. However, national bibliographies on ML in the
Black Sea region are still scant; there are very few scientific publications on this topic and most of
the papers concern the solid waste management mainly. Several aerial and vessel-based ML
surveys have been carried out in the Ukrainian and Russian waters. Turkish specialists performed
diving ML surveys in the Istanbul Strait and presented the data concerning uncontrolled dumping
sites at the southern coast of the Black Sea. Coastal ML surveys were conducted in some
populated (in Bulgaria and Turkey) and unpopulated (in Ukraine) seashore areas. Results of all
those studies confirm the importance of ML problem for different Black Sea countries and the
region in whole.
11. According to expert valuation by national consultants on ML, at least seven actions or groups
of actions deserve high prioritization on the national level: (a) correction of waste management
policy; (b) improvement of legal and administrative instruments; (c) development of sustainable ML
management; (d) development of ML monitoring methodology; (e) national assessment of ML
pollution; (f) preparation of proposals to prevent and reduce ML; and (g) preparation of awareness
and educational tools.
12. The Special Session on ML of the 15th Meeting of the BSC Advisory Group on Pollution
Monitoring and Assessment (Istanbul, 9-10 October 2006) agreed that the major gaps and needs
in coverage of ML management on the regional level consist in following items: (a)
underdevelopment of waste management policy and, particularly, its incompleteness and low
efficiency in respect of ML issues; (b) imperfection and disbalance of legal and administrative
instruments developed for solid waste and ML management; (c) lack of common ML monitoring
and assessment approach based on the standardized methodologies and assessment criteria; (d)
deficiency of practical measures destined to prevent and reduce ML pollution; (e) technological
lag in respect of contemporary methods and devices for collection, processing, recycling and
disposal of solid wastes and ML; (f) insufficiency of public awareness/education regarding ML
problem; (g) low level of involvement of general public and private sector in combatting ML
pollution; and (h) gaps in professional knowledge on ML issues among managers and authorities
involved in the protection of the Black Sea against pollution.
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Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
RECOMMENDATIONS
National consultants on ML made helpful suggestions and drafted some project proposals aimed
to address and alleviate ML problem in their countries. Besides, participants of the Special
Session on ML (Istanbul, 9-10 October 2006) proposed a list of high priority actions to be included
in the Regional ML Action Plan. Reflecting all available provisions, the aim of this action plan could
be formulated as follows: to consolidate, harmonize and implement necessary environmental
policies, strategies and measures destined to develop sustainable integrated management of ML
issues in the Black Sea region.
The objectives of the Regional ML Action Plan could be based on general recommendations of
this report, including:
(1)
to improve the waste management policies in order to devote due regional/
intergovernmental and national/governmental attention and outline proper effort and
resources for the abatement of marine litter pollution in the region in whole and in
every Black Sea riparian state, in particular;
(2)
to reinforce and harmonize existing legal and administrative instruments relevant to
the implementation of waste management policies in order to ensure their efficacy
under the application with respect to marine litter issues;
(3)
to strengthen intergovernmental institutional arrangements consolidating Black Sea
regional activities on marine litter and other types of marine pollution;
(4)
to improve national institutional arrangements regarding the addressing, preventing
and combatting the marine litter problem;
(5)
to identify financial sources and allocate essential funds for the implementation of
marine litter projects;
(6)
to develop regional and national marine litter monitoring and assessment schemes on
base of common research approach, methodology, evaluation criteria and reporting
requirements;
(7)
to improve, develop and implement practical measures aimed to prevent and reduce
marine litter pollution;
(8)
to gain and implement the best available technologies in order to collect, process,
recycle and dispose marine litter;
(9)
to raise public awareness and promote public education on marine litter issues;
(10) to strengthen public, governmental and private sector partnership in combatting
marine litter pollution;
(11) to improve professional skills and knowledge of responsible authorities involved in the
management of marine litter issues;
(12) to stimulate information exchange on marine litter issues in order to share the best
experiences and innovative technologies amongst the Black Sea countries.
79
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
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Assessments and Monitoring Programmes. London, E & FN Spon. Published on behalf of the World Health
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Environmental Priorities Study: Ukraine. UN Publ., New York, 105 pp.
Birkun A., Jr. 2002 a. Cetacean direct killing and live capture in the Black Sea. In: Cetaceans of the Mediterranean and
Black Seas: State of Knowledge and Conservation Strategies. A Report to the ACCOBAMS Secretariat (Ed. by G.
Notarbartolo di Sciara), Section 6, Monaco, 19 pp. <http://www.accobams.mc/Accob/Wacco.nsf/>
Birkun A., Jr. 2002 b. Cetacean habitat loss and degradation in the Black Sea. In: Cetaceans of the Mediterranean and
Black Seas: State of Knowledge and Conservation Strategies. A Report to the ACCOBAMS Secretariat (Ed. by G.
Notarbartolo di Sciara), Section 8, Monaco, 19 pp. <http://www.accobams.mc/Accob/Wacco.nsf/>
Birkun A., Jr., Krivokhizhin S. 2006. Estimated levels of marine litter pollution in the Ukrainian Black Sea and coastal
environment. P.33-34 in: Black Sea Ecosystem 2005 and Beyond (Abstracts of the 1st Biannual Sci. Conf. BSC,
Istanbul, Turkey, 8-10 May 2006). Istanbul, 220 pp.
Black Sea Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis. 1997. UN Publ., New York, 142 pp.
BSC. 2002. Implementation of the Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea: 1996-2001. A
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BS SAP. 1996. Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea.PCU GEF/ BSEP, Istanbul, 29
pp.
Buckland S.T., Anderson D.R., Burnham K.P., Laake J.L. 1993. Distance Sampling: Estimating Abundance of Biological
Populations. Chapman & Hall, London, xii + 446pp.
Çelik F. 2002. A case study: Interstate highway in the Black Sea coast. Proc. 4th Conf. on Turkish Coast and Coastal Areas
(Izmir, Turkey, 5-8 November 2002), Vol. II, P.847-856. (In Turkish).
CHEMBAS. 2004. Results of the monitoring of pollution in Russian areas of the Black and Azov Seas in 2003: Annual report
of the Centre on Hydrometeorology and Environment Monitoring of the Black and Azov Seas. Sochi. (In Russian).
CHEMBAS. 2005. Results of the monitoring of pollution in Russian areas of the Black and Azov Seas in 2004: Annual report
of the Centre on Hydrometeorology and Environment Monitoring of the Black and Azov Seas. Sochi. (In Russian).
CHEMBAS. 2006. Results of the monitoring of pollution in Russian areas of the Black and Azov Seas in 2005: Annual report
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GESAMP. 2001. Protecting the oceans from land-based activities: Land-based sources and activities affecting the quality
and uses of the marine, coastal and associated freshwater environment. Rep. Stud. GESAMP No. 71, 162 pp.
ICC. 2002. International Coastal Cleanup: Report of Turkey [Uluslararası Kıyı ve Deniz Temizliği Kampanyası: Turkiye
Raporu]. 7 pp. (In Turkish).
Interdependence of human thalassogenic diseases and anthropogenic changes of marine ecosystems in the Black Sea:
Intermediate report for the Ministry of Public Health of Ukraine. 2002. Coord. by A.A. Birkun, Jr., State Regist. No.
0101U001162, Crimean Medical Unversity, Simferopol, 59 pp. (In Russian).
Interdependence of human thalassogenic diseases and anthropogenic changes of marine ecosystems in the Black Sea:
Intermediate report for the Ministry of Public Health of Ukraine. 2003. Coord. by A.A. Birkun, Jr., State Regist. No.
0101U001162, Crimean Medical Unversity, Simferopol, 30 pp. (In Russian).
Kerestecioğlu M., Borotav Z., Ercan H. 1998. Black Sea Environmental Priorities Study: Turkey. UN Publ., New York, 177
pp.
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New York, 380 pp.
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Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
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Daurova Y., Topping G., Mee L.D. 1999. The Black Sea: A comprehensive survey of contamination. P. 171-252 in:
L.D. Mee and G. Topping (Eds.), Black Sea pollution assessment. UN Publ., New York, 380 pp.
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STH. 2005. Underwater Cleaning and Awareness Activity: Report. STH, Istanbul, 24 pp.
TUGAL. 2002. Municipal solid waste treatment plant feasibility report: Province of Zonguldak. Technical Report, Zonguldak.
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36(6):409-423.
UNEP. 2005. Marine Litter: An Analytical Overview. UNEP, i-v + 47 pp.
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World Health Organization, Geneva, 17 pp. (WHO/EOS/94.39).
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Organization, Geneva, xxxii + 219 pp.
Yıldırım Y., Özölçer İ.H., Çapar Ö.F. 2004. A case study of rehabilitation of uncontrolled municipal solid waste landfill site in
the province of Zonguldak. In: 6th International Congress on Advances in Civil Engineering (Istanbul, Turkey, 6-8
October 2004), 10 pp.
Zaitsev Y. 1998. The Most Blue in the World. UN Publ., New York, 142 pp. (In Russian).
Zaitsev Y.P. 2006. An Introduction on the Black Sea Ecology. Even, Odessa, 224 pp. (In Russian).
Zaitsev Y., Mamaev V. 1997. Marine Biological Diversity in the Black Sea: A Study of Change and Decline. UN Publ., NewYork, 208 pp.
81
ACRONYMS
ACRONYMS
ACCOBAMS
Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and
Contiguous Atlantic Area
ARS
BEEA
BMA
BMEW
BMH
BMT
BNAWQ
BSBD
BSC
BSD
CBD
CHEMBAS
CIESM
CMS
EIA
EU
FAO
GBF
GEF
GESAMP
GMEPNR
GMPH
GPA
Romanian Association for Solid Waste Management
ICC
ICZM
IMO
INCDM
INCDPM–ICIM
ISPA
ISWA
IUU fishing
MARPOL
ML
NATO
NGO
RAC
REC for CEE
RMEC
RMEWM
RmPh
International Coastal Cleanup campaign
Bulgarian Environmental Execution Agency
Bulgarian Maritime Administration
Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Waters
Bulgarian Ministry of Public Health
Bulgarian Ministry of Transport
Bulgarian National Association on Water Quality
[Bulgarian] Black Sea Basin Directorate
Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (Black Sea Commission)
Black Sea Day
Convention on Biological Diversity
[Russian] Centre on Hydrometeorology and Environment Monitoring of the Black and Azov Seas
Commission Internationale pour l'Exploration Scientifique de la Mer Mediterranee
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
Environmental Impact Assessment
European Union
United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organization
Greener Bourgas Foundation
Global Environmental Facility
Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia
Ministry of Public Health of Georgia
Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based
Activities
Integrated Coastal Zone Management [Programme]
International Maritime Organization
National Institute for Marine Research and Development (Romania)
National Research and Development Institute for Environmental Protection (Romania)
[EU] Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-accession
International Solid Waste Association
Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
Marine Litter
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
Non-governmental organization
Regional Activity Centre
Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe
Ministry of Economy and Trade of Romania
Ministry of Environment and Water Management of Romania
Ministry of Public Health of Romania
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Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
ACCOBAMS
Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and
Contiguous Atlantic Area
RMTCT
STH
TURMEPA
UMPH
UMTC
UNDP
UNEP
VML
WHO
Ministry of Transportation of Romania
[Turkish] Underwater Cleaning and Awareness Activity
Turkish Marine Environment Protection Association
Ministry of Public Health of Ukraine
Ministry of Transport and Communication of Ukraine
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Environment Programme
Estimated value of marine litter pollution
World Health Organization
83
ANNEXES
ANNEXES
84
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
ANNEX 1
A TEMPLATE OF NATIONAL REPORT ON THE STATE OF
MARINE LITTER PROBLEM IN THE BLACK SEA REGION:
_________________
(Black Sea country)
by ___________________
(name of National Consultant)
This questionnaire should be filled in and submitted to the BSC Secretariat,
[email protected], by 28 February 2006
Background information
Excerpts from the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Permanent Secretariat of
the Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (BSC Secretariat) and the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 2005
The Governing Council decision 22/2 IIIA on the UNEP Regional Seas Programme, calls for the
utilization of the Regional Seas conventions and Action Plans as a platform for the regional
implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and global programmes and initiatives.
In the resolution on ”Oceans and the law of the sea” (A/59/L.22 adopted as resolution 59/25), in
paragraph 92, it is recommended that Consultative Process during its deliberations on the report
of the Secretary General, should organize its discussions around, among others, marine debris.
The eighth special session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum,
held in Jeju, Republic of Korea, from 29 to 31 March 2004, at its 6th plenary meeting on 31 March,
adopted the decision SS.VIII/4 on Waste management, on the basis of drafts approved and
submitted by the Committee of the Whole.
Within the above mentioned context, and within the context of UNEP’s support to the BSC,
bearing in mind that marine litter is a priority activity for both the BSC and for UNEP’s Regional
Seas Programme, UNEP has provided support to the BSC Secretariat for the development of
Regional Activity on Marine Litter in the Black Sea within the framework of the Strategic Action
Plan on Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea (BS SAP).
The objective of this activity is to assist in the environmental protection and sustainable
management and development of the Black Sea region through the development of a Regional
Activity on Marine Litter within the framework of BS SAP. A draft amendment to the BS SAP to
include this Regional Activity on Marine Litter will be developed under this MoU and BSC
Secretariat will ensure that such amendment be approved by the Contracting Parties to the
Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution.
It is expected that the BS SAP, signed in 1996, based on the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis
carried out by the Black Sea Environmental Programme will be substantially updated in the
beginning of 2007 when the next regular meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on
the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution is to take place. The amendment proposal on
marine litter, worked out in compliance with the current MoU will be incorporated with the new
draft SAP and after that submitted to the BSC for approval and then for consultations at the
country level. After the successful national procedures, the Ministers of Environment of the six
coastal states will sign the new SAP at the meeting in 2007 (postponed to 2008) and thus the
85
ANNEX 1
provisions of the Regional Activity on Marine Litter document will obtain some legal status in the
Black Sea region.
Under the terms of this MoU, the BSC Secretariat, in consultation with the UNEP Regional Seas
Coordinating Office (RSCO), shall undertake...:
Activity A - Preparation of a Review Document on Marine Litter in the Black Sea Region, on both
the national and regional levels, which will include, among others: collection and review of existing
institutional arrangements; data and information on marine litter in the marine and coastal
environment; legal and administrative instruments; programmes and initiatives; identification of
gaps and needs in coverage of marine litter management; proposals for changes and
recommendations.
Such Review document should be based on national reports (preferably based on standard
questionnaires) and their compilation and other available documents and information, such as
relevant scientific papers and other sources and literature.
ABBREVIATIONS
Any abbreviations used in the report should be included in this table
NC
ML
–
National Consultant
–
Marine Litter
–
Section 1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1. National Consultant on ML
(please fill in your personal data)
Family name
First name
Address
Telephone number (with country code)
Fax number (with country code)
E-mail
Host Institution
Affiliation/position
NC’s experience in ML problem
1.2. Geographical scope of ML problem
(a) maritime and coastal areas under the jurisdiction of your country in the Black Sea region,
including the Black Sea proper, Azov Sea and Kerch Strait:
Maritime areas, km2
internal waters
territorial sea
exclusive economic zone
shelf zone (0−200 m deep)
Depth range, from X to Y m
internal waters
territorial sea
exclusive economic zone
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Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Maritime areas, km2
Coasts
coastline in total, km
seashore area in total, km2
(b) please attach a layout/map of the maritime and seashore areas
(c) please provide brief description of the maritime areas and coasts in view of their
potential accessibility for ML monitoring and cleanup operations; please evaluate the
extent of coastline (km) and seashore area (km2) in places which are difficult of access;
please indicate these places on the map (see 1.2,b).
1.3. National bibliography on ML in the Black Sea region
Please provide references on scientific papers, reports, web sites, other publications concerned
with marine litter / debris / garbage (1996−2006). Do not list references on other types of marine
pollution and other environmental problems. Translation of titles into English along with original
spelling is advisable.
Section 2. Legal and administrative instruments
2.1. Legal instruments
(a)
international environmental legislation (conventions, multi- and bilateral agreements
relevant to the mitigation of ML problem; print dates when these instruments have
been entered into force in your country)
Title of convention or agreement
Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (Bucharest Convention)
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78)
Annex V to MARPOL 1973/78 (optional annex covering garbage; the Black Sea is designated as
a Special Area with regard to this annex)
Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter
Convention on the Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (Basel
Convention)
United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention)
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS, Bonn Convention)
Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and
Contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS)
Please add additional lines for listing more items
87
dd.mm.yy
ANNEX 1
(b)
national environmental legislation (please specify laws, decrees, other legal acts
related to regulating ML affairs in your country; print dates when these instruments
have been entered into force)
Title of national legal act
dd.mm.yy
2.2. Administrative instruments
(a) central government documents dealing with ML
(statements, resolutions, ministerial regulations, national standards, guidelines, etc.)
Title of document
dd.mm.yy
(b) instruments of subordinate (province, district, municipal, harbor, etc.) level (list those
documents only which have particular sense for regulation of ML problem)
Title of document
dd.mm.yy
2.3. Presence of ML items in national legal and administrative instruments
regulating human activities beyond environmental sphere
(please print YES or NO in appropriate cells of the table)
Presence of ML items in the instruments concerning:
Public health
Coastal and urban development
Marine and riverine traffic
Fishery and aquaculture
Tourism and recreation
Offshore gas and oil exploitation
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Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Presence of ML items in the instruments concerning:
Agriculture and farming
Various branches of industry
Protection of state boundaries
Military activities
Other activities (please specify)
Please enclose relevant references as an annex to this report.
Section 3. Existing institutional arrangements
Please add to tables 3.1 − 3.5 as many lines as you need
3.1. Governmental structures involved in the management of ML affairs
(ministry, departments, inspectorates/inspections, etc.)
Organization
Person responsible
for ML management
Contact information
(address, tel., e-mail)
3.2. Institutions involved in ML research and monitoring
Organization
Contact person
Address, tel., e-mail
3.3. Organizations/enterprizes involved in ML cleanup and disposal/utilization
Organization
Contact person
Address, tel., e-mail
3.4. Non-governmental organizations involved in ML activities
Organization
Contact person
Address, tel., e-mail
3.5. Experts on ML (other than mentioned in 3.1 − 3.4, if any)
Name of expert
Field of expertise
89
Address, tel., e-mail
ANNEX 1
Section 4. strategies, Programmes and initiatives
4.1. Strategies cocerning the solution of ML problem in the Black Sea region
4.1.1. Is there specific document arranging national strategy on Black Sea
ML in your country?
Please print “YES” or “NO” …………
If “YES” is printed, please provide reference to this document (title, date of adoption, by whom it
was adopted, etc.):
4.1.2. Are there specific national or ministerial action/ management plans
aimed to solve/ mitigate Black Sea ML problem in your country?
Please print “YES” or “NO” …………
If “YES” is printed, please specify correct reference(s):
4.1.3. The Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Protection of the
Black Sea (BS SAP, 1996) envisages in its paragraph 81 that appropriate
National
Action Plan or other corresponding document should be developed by each
Black Sea country. In this respect, please specify:
(a) full title of this document, its reference No., date of adoption, by whom it was adopted,
stipulated terms of implementation
(b) does this document include specific items concerning ML?
Please print “YES” or “NO”
If “YES” is printed, please provide correct wording of these items (in English):
4.1.4. Could you please formulate national strategic approach to the Black
Sea ML problem? (maximum, 100 words, if possible)
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Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
4.2. Programmes aimed to address/reduce ML pollution in the Black Sea
region
4.2.1. Participation of your country in the international and Black Sea
regional programmes (1996−2006) which are/ were fully or partly concerned
in ML problem
Programme name
Terms of
realization
Implementing Sponsoring
agency
agency
4.2.2. National and/ or ministerial programmes (1996−2006) which are/ were
fully or partly concerned in ML problem
Programme name
Terms of
realization
Implementing Sponsoring
agency
agency
4.2.3. Implemented and ongoing activities related to ML problem
Please specify projects, actions, scientific meetings, public campaigns, other activities and
initiatives realized within above programmes (4.2.1, 4.2.2) and beyond them in 1996−2006
Project name
Terms of
realization
Executing
organization
Sponsor
4.2.4. Outputs of ML-related projects and other activities/ initiatives
implemented in your country in 1996−2006
Please print YES or NO in appropriate cells of the table; if your answer is YES, please provide
references (including web addresses) and comments; besides, if possible, attach factual annexes
to this report
Achieved results
YES/NO
Legal and administrative instruments aimed to
manage ML problem are improved
Waste management policy is amended
Sustainable integrated management of ML is
secured
Methodology to monitor ML pollution is
developed (or acquired), including methods
which are serviceable to assess:
ML quantities
ML composition
91
References and comments
ANNEX 1
Achieved results
YES/NO
ML distribution patterns
ML sources
ML trends
ML impact on the:
environment
biodiversity
public health
economics
Monitoring of ML and its effects is organized
and maintained
Assessment of ML pollution is completed
Proposals to prevent and reduce ML and its
adverse effects are prepared
Campaigns and/ or permanent services for ML
collecting are developed
New technologies/ devices for ML collecting
and processing are elaborated or purchased
Port reception facilities and services for
garbage collection from vessels are
developed and/ or improved
Major stakeholders are involved in anti-ML
partnership/cooperation, including:
shipping industry
Tourism industry
manufacturers of plastics
fisheries
waste managers/services
municipalities, local communities and
authorities
NGOs and general public
Training for officers occupied with ML
management is organized
Professional sectorial guidelines for ML
management are developed for:
Tourism
Boating
diving
cruise lines
fisheries
coastal construction
Awareness and educational tools (brochures,
posters, TV-clips, etc.) dedicated to ML
problems are produced
'Responsible citizenship' guidelines for
different sectors and target audiences are
developed, in particular, for
children and students
92
References and comments
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Achieved results
YES/NO
References and comments
Tourists
municipal authorities and local communities
shipping companies
ship and smaller vessels crews
commercial and recreation fishing vessels
other identified target groups
Mass media awareness-raising campaign
fighting against ML is initiated
Growth of public awareness/ participation in
cleanup activities became sound
Other substantial results (please specify; add
more lines, if necessary)
Section 5. Marine litter research and monitoring in the marine and coastal
environment
5.1. Research/ monitoring/ assessment of ML and its effects in your country
5.1.1. Have any research/ monitoring/ assessment of the state of the marine
and coastal environment concerning ML been made in your country in 1996−
2005?
Please print YES or NO …………
If YES, please list references and/or give web addresses if available online:
5.1.2. Have any other studies on the effects of ML (ecological effects, public
health effects, economic consequences, etc.) undertaken in your country in
1996−2005?
Please print YES or NO …………
If YES, please list references and/or give web addresses if available online:
If you printed NO in 5.1.1 and 5.1.2., please go directly to Section 6.
If you printed YES, please continue your work within Section 5.
5.2. ML parameters and effects which were studied in 1996 − 2005
Please print YES or NO and provide references, if available
ML characteristics
YES/NO
Quantity/ density
93
Reference
ANNEX 1
ML characteristics
YES/NO
Reference
Composition
Distribution patterns
Sources
Trends (spatial/ temporal dynamics)
Impact on the:
environment
biodiversity
public health
economics
Other (please specify)
5.3. Efforts applied to collect ML data in 2004 and 2005
5.3.1. In the marine environment
2004
2005
2004
2005
Time allocated for ML research (number of days)
Geographical scope, including
Internal maritime areas (area investigated, km2)
territorial waters (area investigated, km2)
exclusive economic zone (area investigated, km2)
Number of people involved in research/ monitoring
5.3.2. In the coastal environment
Time allocated for ML research (number of days)
Geographical scope:
length of the coastline investigated, km
area of the seashore investigated, km2
Number of people involved in research/ monitoring
5.4. Available ML data (1996 − 2005)
Please print YES or NO in appropriate cells of the table
ML characteristics
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Internal maritime area
Quantity/ density
Composition
Distribution patterns
Sources
Trends (spatial/ temporal dynamics)
Impact on the:
environment
94
2005
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
ML characteristics
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
biodiversity
public health
economics
Territorial sea
Quantity/ density
Composition
Distribution patterns
Sources
Trends (spatial/ temporal dynamics)
Impact on the:
environment
biodiversity
public health
economics
Exclusive economic zone
Quantity/ density
Composition
Distribution patterns
Sources
Trends (spatial/ temporal dynamics)
Impact on the:
environment
biodiversity
public health
economics
Coastal environment
Quantity/ density
Composition
Distribution patterns
Sources
Trends (spatial/ temporal dynamics)
Impact on the:
environment
biodiversity
public health
economics
Please provide references and information on where the ML data are accumulated:
5.5. Do ML databases exist in your country?
Please print YES or NO …………
95
2005
ANNEX 1
If YES, please provide contact information: ___________________________________
5.6. Estimated levels and effects of ML pollution
Please compile brief review (summary) of available data characterizing intensity, extensiveness,
composition, seasonal and yearly dynamics, and adverse effects of ML pollution in your country
during he tlast 10 years (1996−2005), with general emphasis on the most recent results. Arrange
your description and conclusions in order of subject headings given in Table 5.4. Section 6.
Expert evaluation of the present status of marine litter problem
(please make your own appraisal of the situation in your country)
6.1. Is marine litter/marine debris in the marine and coastal environment
perceived as a priority issue in your country?
Please print YES or NO …………
Comments:
6.2. Can you suggest methodology (or some methods) of ML
research/monitoring implemented in your country for more extensive use in
the Black Sea region in whole?
Please print YES or NO …………
Comments:
6.3. Can you suggest other achievements of your country in addressing,
management and reducing of ML problem for more extensive use in the
Black Sea region in whole?
Please print YES or NO …………
Comments:
96
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
6.4. How do you assess levels of ML pollution in 2005?
Please print YES in appropriate cells
Low
Moderate Sustainable High
Very high
in the marine environment
in the coastal environment
6.5. How do you assess general trend of ML pollution during last decade?
Please print YES in appropriate cells
Decrease
Growth
No significant
variation
No comment
in the marine environment
in the coastal environment
6.6. Five primary sources of ML and five all-important hot spots
Please specify in descending order (first – the most important source and hot spot)
Sources:
Hot spots:
6.7. Five principle items (constituents) composing ML
Please specify in descending order (first – the most important item or group of items)
6.8. Identification of priorities in coverage of ML problem
Please print YES in appropriate cells
Actions
Priority
Primary
Improvement of legal and administrative
instruments
Correction of waste management policy
Development of sustainable ML management
Development of ML monitoring methodology
Organising and maintaining ML monitoring
facilities
National assessment of ML pollution
Preparation of proposals to prevent and
reduce ML
97
Secondary Next to 0
ANNEX 1
Priority
Development of campaigns/services for ML
collecting
Elaboration of ML collecting
technologies/devices
Elaboration of ML processing
technologies/devices
Development of port reception facilities for
garbage
Involvement of stakeholders in anti-ML
partnership
Training of officers involved in ML
management
Preparation of professional sectorial
guidelines
Preparation of awareness and educational
tools
Preparation of 'responsible citizenship'
guidelines
Initiation of awareness-raising campaign in
media
Promotion of public participation in cleanup
activities
Other actions (please specify)
6.9. Proposals/ recommendations for changes
Please make your suggestions taking into consideration above list of priorities (6.8). For each
initiative please specify:
•
Title of proposal
•
Aim (objectives)
•
Suggested activities
•
Potential implementing organization(s)
•
Preliminarily estimated cost (Euro)
•
Possible source of funding
Section 7. ANNEXES
Please attach to this report any materials (scanned copies of documents, publications, etc.) which
can show positive experience of your country in the solution of ML problem.
98
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
ANNEX 2
BLACK SEA LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS AND SPECIALISTS
RELATED TO ML MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH, MONITORING,
CLEANUP OPERATIONS, UTILIZATION AND PUBLIC
EDUCATION
Organization
Specialist
Contact information
Black sea region
Commission on the
Protection of the Black
Sea Against Pollution
(BSC), Permanent
Secretariat
Brema Laboratory
Black Sea Council on
Marine Mammals
(BSCMM; NGO)
Oksana TARASOVA
Pollution monitoring and
assessment officer (before
2007)
Violeta VELIKOVA
Pollution monitoring and
assessment officer (since
2007)
Dolmabahce Sarayi II, Hareket Kosku
34353 Besiktas / Istanbul, TURKEY
Tel.: +90 (212) 2279927; Fax: +90 (212) 2279933
www.blacksea-commission.org
[email protected]
Alexei BIRKUN, Jr.
Deputy director on science,
BSCMM Chairman, Regional
Consultant on ML
Gagarin str. 9a-18, 95028, Simferopol, UKRAINE
Tel.: +380 652 253503
Fax: +380 652 522792
[email protected]
Bulgaria
Ministry of
Environment and
Waters
(including the
Department of Waste
Management and the
Department of Waters)
Chavdar Georgiev
Deputy Minister (waste
management)
Lyubka Kachakova
Deputy Minister (waters)
W.Gladston str. 67, 1000, Sofia
Tel.: +359 2 9406224, +359 2 9406231
Fax: +359 2 9885913
Executive
Dimitar Vergiev
Environmental Agency Executive Director
Black Sea Basin
Directorate – Varna
Tzar Boris III blvd. 136, 1618, Sofia
P.O. Box 251
Tel.: +359 2 9559011;
Fax: +359 2 9559015; telex: +359 2 23894
[email protected]
Ventsislav Nikolov
Director
Desislava Konsulova
Head of the Monitoring,
Prognosis and Information
Supply Department
Al. Dyakovich str. 33, 9000, Varna
Tel.: +359 52 687435
[email protected]
Bulgarian Maritime Ventsislav Ivanov
Administration of the Executive Director
Ministry of Transport
Dyakon Ignatiev str. 9, 1000, Sofia
Tel.: +359 2 9300910
+359 2 9300920
Varna Maritime
Administration
Bogdan Bogdanov
Director/Harbourmaster
Primorski blvd. 5, 9000, Varna
Tel.: +359 52 684922
+359 52 602378
[email protected]
Bourgas Maritime
Administration
Nikolay Apostolov
Director/Harbourmaster
Knyaz Alexander Batenber blvd. 3, 8000, Bourgas
Tel.: +359 56 844339
+359 56 / 840 064
[email protected]
99
ANNEX 2
Organization
Specialist
Contact information
Bulgarian Port
Peycho Manolov
Administration of the Executive Director
Ministry of Transport
Varna Port
Administration
Rumen Arabadzhiev
Director
Bourgas Port
Administration
Todor Shivachev
Director
Regional
Environmental
Inspectorate in
Bourgas
Simeon Simeonov
Director
Gen. Gurko str. 5, 1000, Sofia
Tel.: +359 2 9409773
+359 2 987 9480
[email protected]
Slaveykov square 1, 9000, Varna
Tel.: +359 52 633261
+359 52 633266
Knyaz Alexander Batenber blvd. 3, 8000, Bourgas
Tel.: +359 56 822344
+359 56 822433
Perushtitsa str. 67, 8000, Bourgas
Tel.: +359 56 813199
+359 56 813200
[email protected]
Regional
Environmental
Inspectorate in Varna
Ministry of Public
Health
Sveta Nedelia Square 5, 1000, Sofia
Tel.: +359 2 9301107 and +359 2 9811830
Fax: +359 2 9811830
Regional Inspectorate Svetla Stancheva
for the Protection and Director
Control of Public
Health in Bourgas
Aleksandrovska str. 120, Bourgas
Floor 5, Room 35
Tel.: + 359 56 816257
Regional Inspectorate Emil Angelov
for the Protection and Director
Control of Public
Health in Varna
Bregalniza str. 3, Varna
Floor 5, Room 501
Tel: + 359 52 632778
Regional Inspectorate Svetla Angelova
for the Protection and Director
Control of Public
Health in Dobrich
Kiril and Methodiy str. 57, 9300, Dobrich
Tel. +359 58 600 614
+359 58 600 692
[email protected]
Central Laboratory of Nesho Chipev
General Ecology,
Director
Bulgarian Academy of
Science
Gagarin str. 2, 1113, Sofia
Tel.: +359 2 717195
Fax: +359 2 705498
[email protected]
Institute of Oceanology Hristo Dimitrov Slabakov
Senior Scientist
First May str. 40, P.O. Box 152, 9000, Varna
Tel.: +359 52 370486
+359 52 370484
[email protected]
National
Hristo Slabakov
Oceanographic
Chairman
Commission, Bulgarian
Academy of Science
Parvi Mai str. 40, P.O. Box 152, 9000, Varna
Marine Antipollution
Enterprise PLC
M. Staicheva
27 Juli str. 21, 9000, Varna
Tel: +359 52 630626
Port of Bourgas Ltd. Argir Boyadzhiev
(collection of ship
Director
garbage and port
waste)
Port of Varna PLC
(collection of ship
garbage and port
waste)
Knyaz Alexander Batenber str. 1, 8000, Bourgas
Tel.: +359 56 822222
[email protected]
Danail Papazov
Slaveykov square 1, 9000, Varna
Tel: +359 52 692232 and +359 52 602191
Fax: +359 52 632953
[email protected]
Bulgarian National
Association on Water
Quality (NGO)
Hristo Botev blvd. 137, 1000, Sofia
Tel.: +359 2 9335049
+359 2 9312288
[email protected]
100
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Organization
Specialist
Contact information
Institute for Ecological Lyudmil Ikonomov
Modernization (NGO)
II Makariopolski str. 8, 9000 Varna
Tel.: +359 52 612858
Bulgarian Biodiversity
Foundation (NGO)
Stoyan Michiv
Sredna gora str. 75, 1303, Sofia
+359 887 796187
Greener Bourgas
Foundation (NGO)
Venelin Todorov
Sheinovo str. 24, 8000, Bourgas
Tel.: +359 56 847225
Mayday Foundation
(NGO)
Doychin Krashovski
Br. Miladinovo str. 68, 9000 Varna
Black Sea NGO
Network
Alexandar Shivarov
Sheinovo str. 12, 9000, Varna
Tel.: +359 52 615856
[email protected]
‘Sea Friends’ Marine
Club (NGO)
Darina Ivanova
Odrin str. 18, 9000, Varna
Tel.: +359 52 306423 and +359 48 895372
[email protected]
Center for Environment Ilian Iliev
and Sustainable
Development (NGO)
9000, Varna, P.O. Box 79
Georgia
Ministry of
Environmental
Protection and Natural
Resources
Tamar Gamgebeli
Chief specialist of the Water
Protection Department,
National Consultant on ML
Guramishvili str. 5a, 0192, Tbilisi
Tel.: +995 32 612204
[email protected]
Adjarian Department of Irakli Goradze
Environment and
Head of the Department
Natural Resources
Rustaveli ave. 6, Batumi
Tel.: +995 222 73591
Fax: +995 222 73590
[email protected]
Adjarian Department of
Public Health
Rustaveli str. 6, Batumi
Batumi’s Sanitary
Inspection
Batumi Municipality, Abashidze ave. 34, Batumi
Poti Port Office Ltd.
David Kukava
Poti port, Poti
Batumi Port Ecology
Ltd.
Irakli Papunidze
Batumi port, Batumi
Black Sea EcoAcademy (NGO)
Ekaterine Khvedelidze
Batumi
Tel: +995 222 74581;
+995 77 423927
[email protected]
George Constantin
Director of the Water
Department
Libertatii Bd. 12, sector 5, Bucharest
ROMANIA
Ministry of
Environment and
Water Management
“Romanian Water”
Madalin Mihailovici
National Administration General Director
Edgar Quinet str. 6, sector 1, Bucharest
Tel.: +40 21 3122174
[email protected]
National Environment
Protection Agency
Lacul Morii str. 151, sector 6, Bucharest
Tel.: +40 21 4934235
Fax: +40 21 4934237
[email protected]
Ioan Gherghes
General Director
Institutul National de
Romulus STIUCA
Cercetare - Dezvoltare
Delta Dunarii
Strada Babadag 165, Tulcea, 8800, judetul Tulcea
Tel.: +40 240 531520
[email protected]
Administratia
Rezervatiei Biosferei
"Delta Dunarii"
Portului str. 34A, 820243-Tulcea
Tel.: +40 240 518945
Fax: +40 240 518945
[email protected]
Paul CONONOV
101
ANNEX 2
Organization
Specialist
Contact information
National Research and Magdalena CHIRIAC
Development Institute
for Environmental
Protection
Independentei Spl. 294, sector 6, Bucharest
Tel.: +40 21 3182010
[email protected]
National Research and
Development Institute
for Environmental
Protection
Alexei Atudorei
Head of Environmental
Engineering Department,
National Consultant on ML
Independentei Spl. 294, sector 6, 060031, Bucharest
Tel.: +40 21 3182057/ext. 160
+40 21 2201056 (direct)
Fax: +40 21 3182001
[email protected]
National Institute for
Marine Research and
Development
Simion Nicolaev
General Director
Mamaia Bd. 300, Constantsa
Tel.: +40 241 543288
[email protected]
Agentia Pentru
Protectia Mediului
Constanta
Diana Oprescu
Unirii str. 23, Constantsa
Tel.: +40 241 546696; 543717
[email protected]
www.mediu-constanta.ro
Agentia Pentru
Protectia Mediului
Tulcea
Cedar Bestas
14 Noiembrie str. 5, Tulcea
Tel.: +40 240 515505; 514608
[email protected]
www.apmtl.ro
Santierul Naval S.A.
Constanta
Doina Munteanu
Strada Principala, Constanta, 8700, judetul Constanta
Ing. Sef Departament Calitate Tel: +40 241 616970
& Mediu
[email protected]
www.snc.ro
Constantsa City
Administration
Radu Mazare
Mayor
Tomis Bd. 51, Constantsa
Tel.: +40 241/488.185
Fax: +40 241/488.101
Eforie City
Administration
Ion Ovidiu Brailoiu
Mayor
Progresului str. 1, Eforie
Tel.: +40 241/748.633
Fax: +40 241/748.979
Mangalia City
Administration
Zamfir Iorgus
Mayor
Constantei Sos. 13, Mangalia
Tel.: +40 241/751.060
Fax: +40 241/755606
Grupul de explorări
subacvatice şi
speologice (GESS
NGO)
Florian Baciu
Frumoasa str. 31, sect.1, Bucharest
Tel./Fax: +40 21 3124051
[email protected]
www.gess.ngo.ro
Mare Nostrum (NGO)
Lucian Ionescu
Constanţa , Bdul Mamaia nr. 296
Tel.: +40 241 612422
Fax: +40 241 831099
[email protected]
www.cier.ro
Societatea Ornitologică Dan Hulea
Română (NGO)
G. Dima str. 49, Cluj
Tel/Fax: +40 264 438086
[email protected]
www.sor.ro
Clubul ecologic
UNESCO Pro Natura
(NGO)
Peter Lengyel
Calea Plevnei 61, sect. 1, Bucharest
Tel.: +40 21 3112644
Fax: +40 21 3151558
[email protected]
www.pronatura.ro
Prietenii Pământului
(NGO)
Camelia Zamfir
Portului str., Bl. Siret 4-109, Galaţi
Tel/Fax: +40 236 462564
[email protected]
Asociaţia Română a
Ziariştilor de Mediu
(ARZM NGO)
Alexandru Săvulescu
CP 45-8 Bucharest
Tel/Fax: +40 724 864183
[email protected]
102
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Organization
Specialist
Contact information
Grupul Ecologic de
Dan Manoleli
Colaborare (GEC NGO)
Calea Victoriei 120, Bucharest
Tel/Fax: +40 213 111932
[email protected]
Fundaţia Universitară a Marian Trifu
Mării Negre (NGO)
Primăverii str. 50, sect. 1, Bucharest
Tel/Fax: +40 21 2224118
[email protected]
RUSSIA
Centre on
Hydrometeorology and
Environment
Monitoring of the Black
and Azov Seas
(CHEMBAS)
Yuriy Yurenko
Head of the Marine
Department, National
Consultant on ML
Plastunskaya str. 100-84, 354003, Sochi
Tel.: +7 8622 319264
Fax: +7 8622 614342
[email protected]
North-Caucasian
Leonid YARMAK
Interregional
Deputy director
Administration on
Technological and
Ecological Supervision
Odesskaya str. 42, 350020, Krasnodar
Tel.: +7 861 2672620
Fax: +7 861 2627907
[email protected]
Administration on
Environment
Monitoring, Polar and
Marine Operations of
RosHydromet
Valeri CHELUKANOV
Chief of the Administration
Novovagankovski side-str. 12, 123242, Moscow
Tel.: +7 495 2521369
Fax: +7 495 2552004
[email protected]
Krasnodar region and
Republic of Adygeya
Administration of the
Federal Service on
Veterinary and
Phytosanitary
Supervision
Irina KOZLOVA
Lukianenko str. 111, 350012, Krasnodar
Deputy director of the Fishing Tel.: +7 861 2222031
Supervision Department
Fax: +7 861 2112574
[email protected]
Special Marine
Alexandr KIM
Inspection of the Black Chief of the Inspection
and Azov Seas
Rybatskaya str. 1, 353925, Novorossiysk
Tel.: +7 861 7713995
Fax: +7 861 7713995
[email protected]
TURKEY
Ministry of
Environment and
Forestry
Recep SAHIN
Deputy General Director of
the DG of Environment
Management
Ministry of
Environment and
Forestry
Emine ERCAN
Sogutozu Cad. 14/E, Bestepe, Ankara
Chief of Department of the
Tel: +90 312 2075000
General Directorate for
Fax: +90 312 2075100
Environmental Management,
Waste Management
Department
Prime Ministry
Undersecretariat for
Maritime Affairs
Saniye ONUR
Head of department of the
General Directorate for
Maritime Transport
Ministry of Public
Health, General
Directorate of Borders
and Maritinal Health
Sogutozu Cad. 14/E, Bestepe, Ankara
Tel: +90 312 2075000
Fax: +90 312 2075100
[email protected]
www.cevreorman.gov.tr; www.deniz.cevreorman.gov.tr
G.M.K Bulvarı 128, 06100, Maltepe, Ankara
Tel: +90 312 2320922-2533
Fax: +90 312 2320922
[email protected]
www.denizcilik.gov.tr
Kemankeş C. Karamustafa Paşa Sk. 67, 80030 Karaköy,
Istanbul
Tel./ Fax: +90 212 2933674
www.hssgm.gov.tr
103
ANNEX 2
Organization
Specialist
Contact information
Turkish Coast Guard
Command, Black Sea
Area Command
Sahil Güvenlik Karadeniz Bölge, Komutanlığı, Samsun
Tel: +90 362 4450333-2304
+90 312 4175050
Fax: +90 362 4450251
www.sgk.tsk.mil.tr
Turkish Naval Forces
Command, Northern
Sea Area Command
Deniz Kuvvetleri Komutanlığı, 06100, Bakanliklar, Ankara
Tel: +90 212 2543150
Fax: +90 312 4173065
www.dzkk.tsk.mil.tr
General Directorate of
State Hydraulic Works
Ismet Inönü Bulvarı, 06100, Yucetepe, Ankara
Tel: +90 312 4178300
Fax: +90 312 4182498
www.dsi.gov.tr
University of Istanbul,
Institute of Marine
Science and
Management
Müşküle Sok. 1, 34116, Vefa, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 5196788
Fax: +90 212 5268433
Istanbul University,
Faculty of Aquatic
Sciences
Mustafa KARABATAK
Prof. Dr.
Ordu cad. 200, Laleli, Isanbul
Tel: +90 212 5190484
Fax: +90 212 5140379
Istanbul Bilgi
University,
Faculty of Law
Nilufer ORAL
Dr.
Kurtuluşderesi cad. 47, Dolapdere, 34440, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 3115000
Fax: +90 212 2976315
[email protected]
Marmara University,
Faculty of Law
Hakan BAYKAL
Prof. Dr.
Tıbbiye cad., 81014, Haydarpaşa, Istanbul
Tel: +90 216 3498400
Fax: +90 216 3387710
Turkish National
Committee on Solid
Wastes
Günay KOCASOY
Prof. Dr.
Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Çevre Bilimleri Enstitüsü, 80180,
Bebek, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 3594476
Fax: +90 212 2575033
[email protected]
www.kakad.boun.edu.tr
Istanbul Technical
University, Faculty of
Ship Building and
Marine Science
Fatma YONSEL
Assoc. Prof.
İTÜ Ayazağa Kampusu Maslak, 34469, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 285 64 64
Fax: +90 212 285 64 54
[email protected]
Turkish Industrialists
Alper UCOK
and businessmen
Manager of Industry, Service
Association (TUSIAD), and Agriculture Department
Environment
Department
Meşrutiyet cad. 74, Tepebaşı, 34420, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 2491929
Fax: +90 212 2517005
[email protected]
www.tusiad.org
Cekmece Nuclear
Education and
Resource Center
P.K. 1, Atatürk Havalimanı, 34149, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 5484050/1221
Fax: +90 212 5482230
[email protected]
Gül GÖKTEPE
Scientist
Ministry of
Suna GURLER DEDEOGLU
Environment and
Landscape Architect
Forestry, Regional
Directorate of Istanbul
Karadeniz Technical
University (KTU),
Faculty of Marine
Science
Ertuğ DÜZGÜNEŞ
Prof. Dr.
Mimar Kemalettin sok., Nur han 2, Eminönü, Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 5194915/1210
Fax: +90 212 5201360
[email protected]; [email protected]
61530, Çamburnu, Trabzon
Tel: +90 462 7522419
Fax: +90 462 7522158
[email protected]
www.deniz.ktu.edu.tr
104
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Organization
Karadeniz Technical
University (KTU),
Department of Civil
Engineering
Specialist
Contact information
Mehmet BERKUN
Prof. Dr.
61080, Trabzon
Tel: +90 (462) 3772657
Fax: +90 (462) 3772606
[email protected]
http://enformatik.ktu.edu.tr/eakademik/145/index_en.html
Egemen ARAS
Research Assistant
Tel: +90 462 3773547
Fax: +90 462 3772606
[email protected]
Yılmaz YILDIRIM
University of
Zonguldak, Karaelmas Assoc. Prof.
Department of
Environmental
Engineering
67100, Zonguldak
Tel: +90 372 257 40 10/1569
Fax: +90 372 257 40 23
[email protected]
University of
Ömer Faruk ÇAPAR
Zonguldak, Karaelmas Assoc. Prof.
Department of Civil
Engineering
67100, Zonguldak
Tel: + 90 372 257 40 10/1542
Fax: + 90 372 257 40 23
[email protected]
Dr. Sefa KOCABAŞ
Karadeniz Technical
University, Department Environment Engineer
of Chemistry
67100, Zonguldak
Tel: +90 372 2574010/1388
Fax: +90 372 2574023
[email protected]
Marmara Research
Gülsen AVAZ
Center, Chemistry and Researcher
Environment Institute
(TUBITAK)
Gebze Yerleşkesi, Marmara Araştırma Merkezi, İzmit
Tel: +90 262 6412300
Fax: +90 262 6412309
[email protected]
www.mam.gov.tr
Middle East Technical Ferit BINGEL
University (METU),
Prof.
Institute of Marine
Science
P.O.Box 28, 33731, Erdemli-Mersin
Tel: +90 324 5213434
Fax: +90 324 5212327
[email protected]
www.ims.metu.edu.tr
Coastal Zone
Erdal OZHAN
Management Turkish Prof. Dr.
National Committee
Middle East Technical
University, Department
of Civil Engineering
Inönü Bulvarı, 06531, Ankara
Tel: +90 312 2102401
Fax: +90 312 2101262
[email protected] ; [email protected]
Turkish Environmental
and Woodlands
Protection Society
(TURCEK; NGO)
University of Istanbul,
Faculty of Letters,
Department of
Geography
Mühürdarbağı sok. 6/3, Kadıköy, İstanbul
Tel: +90 216 3380017
+90 212 4555700/15722
Fax: +90 216 3304155
+90 212 5514371
[email protected]
www.turcek.org.tr
Barbaros GONENCGIL
Assoc. Prof., Physical
Geography and
Environmental Science
Eşref CERRAHOĞLU
Turkish Marine
Environment Protection President of the Board
Association
Yasemin CAGATAY
(TURMEPA; NGO)
Expert
DenizTemiz Derneği Nakkaşatepe, Aziz Bey Sok. 26,
34674, Kuzguncuk, Istanbul
Tel: +90 216 3102901; 3417777
Fax: +90 216 3432177
[email protected]
www.turmepa.org.tr
Underwater Cleaning Hakan TIRYAKI
and Awareness Activity President
(STH; NGO)
Fuatpaşa cad., Defne Apt. 32 D.7, Fenerbahçe, Istanbul
Tel: +90 216 3688672
Fax: +90 216 3688672
[email protected]
105
ANNEX 2
Organization
Specialist
Contact information
Turkish Marine
Research Foundation
(TÜDAV; NGO)
Bayram ÖZTÜRK
Prof. Dr., Dean of the Istanbul
University, Faculty of Aquatic
Sciences
P.K. 10, Beykoz, 81650, Istanbul
Tel: +90 216 4240772
+90 212 5140388
Fax: +90 216 4240771
+90 212 5140379
[email protected]; [email protected]
www.tudav.org
University of Istanbul,
Institute of Marine
Science and
Management
Cem GAZİOĞLU
Assoc. Prof
Marine Environment
34116 Vefa- Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 520 65 72
Faks: + 90 212 526 84 33
[email protected]
University of Istanbul,
Institute of Marine
Science and
Management
Selmin BURAK
34116 Vefa- Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 520 65 72
Faks: + 90 212 526 84 33
[email protected]
TURCEK Giresun
Branch (NGO)
Hakan ADANIR
Governership of Giresun
Center of Project Support
Sokak Kafe, Bekirpaşa cad. Söken inişi sok. 8/a, Giresun
Tel: +90 454 2161910
[email protected]; [email protected]
Association of
Murat BULUT
Protection of Nature in President
Samsun (NGO)
Yeni mahalle Canik Belediyesi, Samsun
Tel: +90 362 2349917
Fax: +90 362 2386809
[email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]
Foundation for Turkish Erol GUNGOR
Environmental
President
Education (TURCEV;
NGO)
Nasuh Akar Mah. Ziyabey cad. 23, Sok 4/9, Balgat,
Ankara
Tel: +90 312 2845381
Fax: +90 312 2290613
www.turcev.org.tr
Turkish Regulation on
the Control of
Packaging and
Packaging Waste
(CEVKO; NGO)
Cenap Sehabettin Sok. 94, Kosuyolu, Istanbul
Tel: +90 216 4287890
Fax: +90 216 4287895
[email protected]; www.cevko.org.tr
Cezmi NEYIM
Projects Coordinator
Glass Recycling
Cengiz BESEN
Industrialists and
General Secretary
Businessmen
Association (CAMSIAD;
NGO)
Eminali Pasa cad., Beydagi Apt. B, Blok 91, Daire 10,
81110, Bostanci, Istanbul
Tel: +90 216 4644200
Fax: +90 216 4644282
www.camsiad.org.tr
WWF-Turkey
Ayse ORUC
(Association of Nature
Life; NGO)
Buyuk Postane cad. 43-45, Kat 5, 34420, Bahcekapi,
Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 5282030-310; Fax: +90 212 5282040
[email protected]; www.wwf.org.tr
Black Sea Nature
Kenan KURI
Conservation
President
Federation (KARDOGA;
NGO)
Muhurdar bagi sok. 6/3, Kadikoy, Istanbul
Tel: +90 216 3380017
Fax: +90 216 3304155
www.turcek.org.tr
Environmental
Meltem CETINKAYA
Protection Association President
of Zonguldak (NGO)
Gazipasa cad., Belediye Kultur Sanat Merkezi, Kat 3
Tel./Fax: +90 372 2515023
Tel: +90 372 2511818
[email protected]; [email protected]
Turkish Environment
Platform (TURCEP;
NGO)
Marmara University,
Department of
Machine Engineering
Tanay Sıtkı UYAR
Prof. Dr.
Goztepe Kampusu, 81040 Kadikoy, Istanbul
Tel: +90 532 7744525
Fax: +90 216 3480293
[email protected]
Western Black Sea
Environment Platform
(NGO)
Mehmet TOKER
President
[email protected]
106
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Organization
Specialist
Contact information
Eastern Black Sea
Environment Platform
(DOKCEP; NGO)
Mustafa YAZICI
President
Uzun sokak Cinili Cars, Kat. 5, 707, Trabzon
Tel: +90 462 321 72 10
Fax: +90 462 323 37 21
[email protected]
Union of the
Municipalities of the
Edremit Bay (NGO)
Ilknur TURAN
Edremit Körfezi Belediyeler Birliği Edremit-Zeytinli-Güre
Dalyan Mevkii -Zeytinli-Edremit, Balikesir
Tel: +90 266 381 00 25
Fax: +90 266 381 00 25
[email protected]
Natalia Movchan
Principal consultant of the
Ecological Committee,
National Consultant on ML
Grushevsky Str. 5, 01008, Kyiv, Ukraine
Tel.: +380 44 2552286
Fax: +380 44 2552272
[email protected]
UKRAINE
Parliament of Ukraine
Ministry of
Alexandr Bon
Environmental
Head of the Black and Azov
Protection and Natural Seas Division
Resources
Uritskogo str. 35, Kyiv, 01601
Tel.: +380 44 2063136
Fax: +380 44 2063136
[email protected]
State Inspection for the A. Bulanovich
Protection of the Noth- Evgeniy Patlatiuk
Western Part of the
Black Sea
Bunina str. 30, Odessa, 65045
Tel.: +380 482 251446
[email protected]
State Azov and Black
Sea Inspection
S. Tarakanov
Shiriyeva str. 5, Yalta, 98612
Tel.: +380 654 275054
Ministry of Public
Health,
Department of the
State Sanitary and
Epidemiological
Control
O. Ponomarenko
Grushevskogo str. 7, Kyiv, 01021
Tel.: +380 44 2533900
Ministry of Transport
Semen Krol’
Deputy Minister
Yuriy Girgot
Director of the Safety
Department
Peremogy sq. 14, 01135, Kyiv
Tel.: +380 44 4616503
Fax: +380 44 2359700
[email protected]
Viktor Sudarev
Deputy director of the
Department of Marine and
Riverine Transport
Tel.: +380 44 4615120
Scientific Centre of
Ecology of the Sea
Innesa Loeva
Director
Frantsuzsky blvd. 89, Odessa, 65009
Tel.: +380 482 636622
[email protected]
Odessa Branch of the
Institute of Biology of
Southern Seas
Yuvenaly Zaitsev
Head Scientist
Pushkinskaya str. 37, Odessa, 65011
Tel./Fax: +380 48 7250918
[email protected]
Brema Laboratory
Sergey KRIVOKHIZHIN
Director
Gagarin str. 9a-18, 95028, Simferopol
Tel.: +380 652 514272; Fax: +380 652 522792
[email protected]
107
ANNEX 3
ANNEX 3
INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL PROGRAMMES AND
PROJECTS RELEVANT TO THE BLACK SEA ML PROBLEM
(1993−2006)
Programme or project name
Years
Sponsoring
agency
Black Sea Environmental Programme (BSEP)
Marine Meteorological and Oceanographic Services for
the Black Sea (BLACKMARS)
The Black Sea Ecosystem Processes, Prediction and
Operational Data Management
Clean Beaches, the First Commitment for Sustainable
Tourism in Romanian and Bulgarian Black Sea Coastal
Areas (Bulgarian and Romanian project)
Strategic Partnership for Nutrient Reduction in the Danube
River and Black Sea
International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Campaign
1993–1996
GEF
1997
NATO
1998–2002
NATO
2000–2001
REC for CEE
2001–2007
World Bank / GEF
2002–2006
Ocean Conservancy,
Alcan, Bosch, Migros,
British Petrolium (Turkey)
2003
Utrish Dolphinarium Ltd.
(Russia)
2003–2006
GEF / UNDP
Afalina-2003 (Ukrainian and Russian project)
Regional Danube Project, Phase 2
Black Sea Ecosystems Recovery Project (BSERP)
Film Competition “If there was no sea?”
World Environment Day (5 June)
International Black Sea Action Day (31 October)
108
2004–2007
GEF / UNDP
2006
REC (Turkey)
annually,
Various sources
1997–2006
Various sources
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
ANNEX 4
EXAMPLE OF THE INVENTORY LIST OF UNDERWATER ML
SURVEY BY STH, ISTANBUL
Fig. A5-1 Inventory list of underwater ML survey by STH Istanbul
20 February 2005 – Kadikoy, Istanbul
Location: Wharf square – front of the Conservatoire
Inventory of Collected Material
MATERIAL
unit
MATERIAL
Beverage can
Glass bottle
Glass jar
Tea cup
Tea spoon
Dessert spoon
Plastic bottle
Oil drum (5lt)
Padlock
Umbrella
Digital watch
Digital clock
Glasses
Intr. To civil law
Camera
Mobile phone
Mobile phone battery
Pencil
Student pass
Telephone card
12
51
3
2
3
1
1
1
5
2
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
1
8
2
109
Speaker
Auto tyre
Hubcap
Battery
Marble
Lighter
Shoe (left)
Crutch
Garbage can
Jaw of an animal
Walkman earphone
Various profile pipe
Jaw of a sheep
Canned food box
Paint brush (roll)
Health insurance card
Panel radiator
Handle of a beach umbrella
Hawser
Iron pipe
unit
1
3
1
12
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
ANNEX 4
MATERIAL
Various plastic material
Credit card (bonuscard)
Plate
Part of a gun bullets are filled in
(empty)/gun charger
Monthly provisions expense report
Shoe polish lid
Belt clip
Concrete drill
Auto inner tyre
Handle of an umbrella
Washbasin pipe
unit
MATERIAL
unit
2
1
2
1
Insect remover pump
Broom
Pullover
Tea plate
1
1
1
7
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
Arabic amulet etc.
Paint brush tip
Adhesive
Cigar box
Crenel
Iron railing (1mx2m)
Parquet
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
Analyses
When the 20 Feb, Kadikoy activity inventory lists are examined, besides the fall of some materials,
solid waste pollution caused directly by the local residents, can be seen. This situation gives some
hints about the lack of awareness and sensitivity of these people. The number of the garbage
cans is fair enough. And this supports the anxiety about the insensitivity and unawareness.
Especially existence of lots of transportation passcards all gathered in a certain point, indicates
the lack of environmental awareness of one or more IETT personnel. At this point, the related
institution should not be accused of the lack of their personnels’ awareness, just the opposite, the
institution should be informed about the situation.
Some materials like oildrum, panel radiator, wastebasket which are not probably fallen
accidentally or thrown by people passing by, show that all these take place because of the lack of
sensitivity and awareness of the marine vehicles.
Suggestions
STH, by the help of the existing data, is ready for collaboration about the improvement of the
awareness project for the local residents. Our suggestion is, to start a periodical campaign along
the shore with the participation of the voluntary students. During the campaign period the region
between the seabus wharf and the New Kadikoy Wharf will be watched carefully and
communication with those who throw trash into the sea will be provided. The content, the
communication and awareness methods can also be discussed.
The presentation of the education program prepared under the visual & scientific data to the
students of the primary education by the help of discussions will be a highly effective awareness
method.
Another suggestion that we think will be effective, is an outdoor exhibition of the visual materials
that we have provided from the Kadikoy activity at the shore between the two wharfs and the
wharves themselves.
110
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
ANNEX 5
GBF REPORT ON COASTAL LITTER MONITORING
REPORT
ON COASTAL LITTER MONITORING
Pilot beaches:
Bourgas, Pomorie and Sozopol
Prepared by:
Greener Bourgas Foundation, Bulgaria
Within the Project “Clean Beaches – first commitment for sustainable tourism development”,
financed by Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe
2001, Bourgas, Bulgaria
111
ANNEX 5
BOURGAS
Characteristics of the North Beach Bourgas
Location
The North beach is situated on the east of Bourgas, including the coastal zone next to the Park of
the town. The length is about 1.5 km from the bridge to the restaurant “Palm Beach”, which was
recently destroyed.
The coastal zone continues to the north (but is not safeguarded by the beach guards and there
are no toilet facilities, bathing cabins and plumbing installation in this part of the beach.) On the
north the beach bounded by the other safeguarded zone-Central beach. The west border is the
park zone of the town with build up infrastructure. The access to the beach is along its length. The
beach was given to the concessionaire for 10 years. On the territory of the beach there is no
waste dumping sites, and discharges of industrial wastewater. The cleanness of the region is
affected by the proximity of the Port of Bourgas. There is a draining channel in the middle of the
beach. It is determined that in this channel are included waste waters with domestic character,
which make worse the water quality and make them risky in their passing through the sand and
pouring out into the sea water.
Organization of the coastal line
There are the following zones: zone for heliotherapy, bathing zone, zone for water sports, children
zone and some temporary places of resort for entertainment and consumption.
There are new commercial objects, build up directly to the sand. Their constructing is consistent
with change and compliment of Ordinance 2. Several places of entertainment were destroyed
because of their illegal construction, and their residues are still there.
Exploitation
Cleaning
In the beginning of the season was made basic cleaning and leveling of the beach, but this was
done not entirely.
Toilets
There is no sewage along the coastal zone. Therefore the toilets are with pits. Essential oversights
are unguarded shafts, which may cause accidents and insects, which may cause infections.
Bathing cabins
Along the coastal zone there are 5 bathing cabins. The sand inside is covered with litter and
faeces, which make the cabins unusable. The number of bathing cabins is insufficient to satisfy
the need of visitors. Their structures give opportunities for their using like toilets and make them
hazardous because of the impossibility for cleaning up. We consider that there are no bathing
cabins, which are harmless and don’t cause infections.
Water supply
The coastal zone has water supply. There are 5 places with 3 showers per place. The wastewater
absorbs in the sand near to the showers. There are no new shower platforms and possibility for
heating the water. So, the existing showers are extremely insufficient and inappropriate for using
from children. There are only 2 fountains in the beach, which don’t work. One of them is like
wastebasket. The lack of the fountains for drinking water is intolerable, because there is a water
supply system. The borders of the safeguarded beach on north and south are marked only in
Bulgarian language.
112
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Informational signs
There are no informative signs about the water and air temperature, the motion of the wind,
indication about medical center and etc. The signs are insufficient and many of them are not in the
right places.
Cleaning of the beach
Along the coastal zone there are wastebaskets situated at 30 m intervals. The emptying of these
baskets and the cleaning of the sand is doing manually. The machine cleaning is not effective and
is doing rarely (the existing machines are old and ineffective). Because of this the deeper sand is
dirty with cigarette ends, metal caps, plastic wastes, parts of toys, pits, etc. The waste collected is
dumped in the town landfill. The lack of specialized vehicles (closed) creates continuously
conditions for additional pollution of the region- the beach, the park and the road.
Lifeguards
In intervals of 100 m. are situated 9 lifeguard posts. They have ropes, life saving ball, signal flag,
life saving boats-4, life saving equipment. The water zone is marked with buoys in appropriate
colour. For each post there are least 2-life guards, according to the requirements. The main
oversights are insufficient signals, the lack of boards in foreign languages and the old posts,
which need painting and repair.
Results of the litter monitoring
Investigated coast was 500m zone starting from former “Palm Beach” discotheque to the
lifeguard post 9.
The monitoring of the litter pollution on the Bourgas beach started in March 2001. Out of touristic
season, the survey was made once per month. During June and July (till 14 July in order to be
able to process the data) we made measurements of the litter pollution twice per month.
Types of litter
Beach litter consists of various slowly degradable solid waste items from a large number of
different sources. The main types of litter found on the beach are:
•
Plastics (fragments, sheets, bags, caps, containers);
•
Polystyrene (cups, packaging);
•
Paper and cardboard;
•
Rubber (gloves, tires);
•
Metal (drink cans, aerosol containers, wires)
•
Wood (construction timers)
•
Sanitary
•
Textile (clothing, textile bags);
•
Glass (jars, bottles, light bulbs)
113
ANNEX 5
Waste Type
Food cans, wraps for alimentary
products
13%
Tetra boxes for drinks
Paper, newspapers, magazines
6%
3%
Bags
3%
Cigarettes packages
4%
Bottel caps
4%
Caps
14%
Plastics, hand bags
13%
Single use only plastic glasses
and cans
11%
Recipients for other liquids
3%
Plastic bottles
16%
Alimentary residues
Tetra boxes for drinks
Paper, newspapers, magazines
Bags
Cigarettes packages
Napkins,alimentary paper
Food cans
Aluminium cans
Sprays
Metal goods, wires, wire nets
Bottel caps
Doormat
Sole leathers, broken footwear, rubber
Plastics, hand bags
Plastic bottles
Recipients for other liquids
Single use only plastic glasses and cans
Caps
Food cans, wraps for alimentary products
Cigarette lighters
Cosmetic accessories, spray
Toys
Slippers
Corky pieces, polystyrene
Damaged clothing, textile bags
Bottles, jars
Light bulbs and neon tubes
Medical/Hygiene
The analysis of the survey data shows that the prevailing types of beach pollution are plastics
(more than 70%).
Main sources
The conclusion of observations made is that the main source of pollution is beach visitors.
Important sources of beach litter are ships and fishermen boats. Part of the beach litter is
transported by the air (especially during the windy days) from the waste containers of the places
of entertainment situated next to the beach.
On the other hand, restaurants, cafes, shops and beach discotheques are important indirect
source of litter, too. The analysis shows that around 80% of the litter accumulated on the beach is
plastic bottles and caps, boxes for drinks, single use plastic glasses and cans, cigarettes
packages etc.
How much
During the 6 surveys from 500 m long beach area the volunteers collected 1087 litter items.
The analysis of the monitoring data shows that during the out-of-touristic season and touristic
season the most litter collected are plastic bottles (170), plastic bags (142), food cans (142) and
bottle caps (152).
Tendency
Considering the favorite climatic conditions in Bulgaria, already in May people start to use the
beaches for sunbathing. The official opening of the beach is based on the report of the regional
commission for beaches, proving that the beach provides all necessary facilities (such as lifeguard,
medical posts, toilets, baskets, beach cleaning, showers and drinking water) and can be
considered as safe and suitable for use.
114
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
The results of the beach survey show clearly that during the out-of-touristic period, when the beaches
are not cleaned regularly, despite the small number of visitors, the litter pollution is significant. During
the active period the concessionaires have the interest to clean up the beaches, but there are no
effective instruments to make them to maintain the beaches during non-touristic period. It is visible
that in May (when the climatic conditions are already suitable for sunbathing) the litter pollution is
decreasing significantly, because the beach is cleaned regularly by the concessionaires.
Litter polution
BourgasJuly
Bourgas23June
Bourgas7June
Bourgasmay
Bourgasapril
Bourgasmarch
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Alimentary residues
Tetra boxes for drinks
Paper, newspapers, magazines
Bags
Cigarettes packages
Napkins,alimentary paper
Food cans
Aluminium cans
Sprays
Metal goods, wires, wire nets
Bottel caps
Doormat
Sole leathers, broken footwear, rubber
Plastics, hand bags
Plastic bottles
Recipients for other liquids
Single use only plastic glasses and cans
Caps
Food cans, wraps for alimentary products
Cigarette lighters
Cosmetic accessories, spray
Toys
Slippers
Corky pieces, polystyrene
Damaged clothing, textile bags
Bottles, jars
Light bulbs and neon tubes
Medical/Hygiene
Sociological investigation
During the period 15 June – 15 July more than 500 visitors of the Bourgas beach were interviewed
on the base of preliminarily elaborated questionnaire.
The analysis of the results shows that people appreciate climatic conditions of the beaches (the
beach is exposed to the sunlight all day long – around 36%) and the smooth slope of the seacoast
(around 40%).
1. rubbish ( paper and plastic packs,
bottles, cigarette ends and residues from
households
2. unsatisfying sand quality
What you don't like on
this beach ?
3. water quality
4. lack of facilities on the beach
5. the beach is crowded and noisy
13,6
25,7
90,9
24,2
6. degradation of the beach’s scenery
because of ugly constructions
7. lack of information about the seawater
quality, air quality and areas with
historical value
8. presence of peddlers and of beggars
31,8
15,1
13,6
18,1
9
37,8
24,2
9. lack of safety measures to protect the
tourists
10. there is no entertainment on the
beach
11. presence of animals protected by law
(bears, lions, camels, etc.)
115
ANNEX 5
But the most disturbing factor is beach pollution – more than 90% of the visitors answered that
they do not like the rubbish on the beach (see figure).
*the total is more than 100% because most of the people select more than one answer
Furthermore, the opinion of most beach visitors is that the garbage (boxes, plastic bags, paper,
PET-bottles, food related items trash, dirt) could affect strongly (to very strongly) the quality of the
beach.
What can be done?
The beach visitors consider the daily cleaning of the bathing area (removing of rubbish, algae, etc.)
as the most important measure for improvement of the beach quality. On the second place is
provision of sufficient number (and acceptable quality) of toilets, showers, garbage containers on
the beach. Significant part of the visitors (71%) stressed the need to be forbidden and controlled
discharges of the dirty ship’s waters. It is especially important for protection of Bourgas beaches,
because here is located the biggest port of Bulgaria.
Modifications for improving the
bathing quality of the beach
71,2
5. Presence of lifeguards and of first aid
points available for the hole season
80,3
43,9
69,7
6. Informing the tourists about the
seawater quality
53
57,6
37,8
30,3
75,8
68,2
1. Daily cleaning of the bathing area
(removing rocks, algae, rubbish, metallic
objects, pipes)
2. Separating the bathing area from the
one for nautical sports (skijets, boats,
hydrobicycles)
3. Decrease of the quantity of used water
that is thrown into the seawater and their
discharge far from the bathing area
4. A large number of toilets, showers,
garbage cans on the beach
7. Warning signs for the swimmers
8. Access forbidden for animals in the
seawater
9. Forbidding the discharge of dirty
waters from pools and hotels
10. Forbidding the discharge of dirty
waters coming from the ships
POMORIE
In Pomorie resort the seaside is low, sandy with entirely open sea-line to the East and West and it
is preserved to the North by Stara Planina The total area of the coastal zone is 278 000m2 .It may
supply 24 000 bath places in the urban zone observing the European norm for 8m2 per person.
The sand consists of ferro- oxide and salts, dark colour and temperature of about 60°C, suitable
for warm sun bathing. The structure of coastal zone, the great number of coastal fortifications and
mud-banks permit heating of the water to 20-28°C, which make the water appropriate for children
and elderly. The life saving services are provided in accordance with the Bulgarian legislation.
They are well equipped technically and personnel according the existing requirements for these
activities, including medical services. The words like “ far from the beach and the sea” are not
existing because they are a part from the life-town environment that gives it extreme attractivity.
116
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
The breakwaters out of swimming zones lead out the cold streams of the way. Shallow and level
seaside bottomwith slight stop without riffs and cold sea streams is safety for diving.
The resort Pomorie disposes of over 60 000 beds category 1, 2 and 3 stars, in family
pensions(hotels), hotels with all the facilities for a quiet family recreation, a lot of establishments
for quick eating, indoor swimming pool. Comfortable transport junctions connect Pomorie with
other towns and resorts. The airport is only 8 km away.
Characteristic of the Beaches
Pomorie seashore is divided officially on 12 beaches based on the existing beach supporting
facilities (breakwaters). (see the map attached).For the local people the seashore is divided on 3
beaches: Central ( beach 4-8) ; Eastern (beach 1-3) and South (beach 9-12). This division was
used by our volunteers during the beach survey.
For the need of this project we selected the most famous and preferred by the tourists sand
beaches to be monitored regularly.
Central Beach (4 and 5 from the map):
Total area
52 316 m2;
Sand beach
40 853 m2,
including clear active sand area
20 621m2;
areas occupied with objects of infrastructure4 116 m2;
other16 116m2
Sand dune11 463 m2;
Rocky coast0 m2
Length of the coast
688 m; (the whole area was included in the survey)
Average width of the beach76m;
Maximum width of the beach165 m;
Minimum width of the beach23 m;
Splash zone is
between 1-5 m.
Borders of the selected 500 m for the Litter Survey:
North: Sanatorium of the Ministry of Healthcare
South: Water roll-slide
Within the observed beach area (maximum 100 m from the limit of the beach) there are:
Restaurants (3) , alimentary shops (4) , discotheque (1) , post office (1).
The access to the beach is free. There is no fence.
The beach is provided with baskets, toilets, lifeguard, umbrellas, and showers.
Operated by the Municipality of Pomorie (no interest from private operators).
Eastern Beach
Total area
Sand beachincluding clear active sand areaareas occupied with objects of infrastructureotherSand duneRocky coastLength of the coast(500 were included in the survey)
Average width of the beachMaximum width of the beachMinimum width of the beachSplash zone is
Borders of the selected 500 m for the Litter Survey:
North: Water pump station
117
64 663 m2;
47 667 m2,
23 444m2;
19 304 m2;
4 919m2
15 694 m2;
1 302 m2
2 446 m;
26m;
74 m;
24 m;
between 1-5 m.
ANNEX 5
South: Medical post Within the observed beach area (maximum 100 m from the limit of the beach)
there are: Restaurants (5) , alimentary shops (4) , discotheques (2) , hotels (2). The access to the
beach is free. There is no fence. The beach is provided with baskets, toilets, lifeguard, umbrellas,
showers, and information desks. Operated by the private concessionaires. Awarded with Blue
Flag.
South Beach
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Total areaSand beachincluding clear active sand areaareas occupied with objects of infrastructureotherSand duneLength of the coastmonitored regularly)
Average width of the beachMaximum width of the beachMinimum width of the beachSplash zone is
Borders of the selected 500 m for the Litter Survey:
•
•
•
•
•
43 882 m2;
43 784 m2,
22 654m2;
4 383 m2;
16 747m2
98 m2;
905 m; (500 m were
41 m;
58 m;
35 m;
between 1-5 m.
North: fishermen breakwater
South: water canal. Within the observed beach area (maximum 100 m from the limit of the beach)
there are: Restaurants (2), alimentary shops (6) , stands with misc. products (10). The access to
the beach is free. There is no fence. The beach is provided with baskets, toilets,
lifeguard.Operated by the Municipality of Pomorie (up to now private interests for taking under
concession).
central
East
South
Map of Pomorie
Results of the Litter Monitoring of the Beaches in Pomorie
The monitoring of the litter pollution on the Pomorie beaches started in March 2001. Out of
touristic season, the survey was made once per month. During June and July (till 14 July in order
to be able to process the data) we made weekly measurements of the litter pollution.
Types of litter
Beach litter consist of various slowly degradable solid waste items from a large number of
different sources. The main types of litter found on the beach are:
•
Plastics (fragments, sheets, bags, caps, containers);
118
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Polystyrene (cups, packaging);
Paper and cardboard;
Rubber (gloves, tires);
Metal (drink cans, aerosol containers, wires)
Wood (construction timers)
Sanitary
Textile (clothing, textile bags);
Glass (jars, bottles, light bulbs)
The analysis of the survey data shows that the prevailing types of beach pollution are paper (24%)
and plastics (42%).
Main sources
The conclusion of observations made is that the main source of pollution are the beach visitors.
Still important sources of beach litter are fishermen boats. Part of the beach litter is transported by
the air (especially during the windy days) from the streets and waste containers of the places of
entertainment situated next to the beach. Irregular street cleaning and waste collection in Pomorie
is precondition for pollution of the beach.
On the other hand, restaurants, cafes, shops and beach discotheques are important indirect
source of litter, too. The analysis shows that around 70% of the litter accumulated on the beach
are plastic bottles and caps, boxes for drinks, single use plastic glasses and cans, cigarettes
packages etc.
Chart :Type of litter pollution
Tetra boxes for drinks
Medical/Hygiene
Paper, newspapers, magazines
Bottles, jars
Bags
Cosmetic accessories, spray
Cigarettes packages
Food cans, wraps for
alimentary products
Napkins,alimentary paper
Aluminium cans
Single use only plastic glasses
and cans
Sprays
Bottel caps
Recipients for other liquids
Plastic bottles
Plastics, hand bags
119
Alimentary residues
Tetra boxes for drinks
Paper, newspapers, magazines
Bags
Cigarettes packages
Napkins,alimentary paper
Food cans
Aluminium cans
Sprays
Metal goods, wires, wire nets
Bottel caps
Doormat
Sole leathers, broken footwear, rubber
Plastics, hand bags
Plastic bottles
Recipients for other liquids
Single use only plastic glasses and cans
Caps
Food cans, wraps for alimentary products
Cigarette lighters
Cosmetic accessories, spray
Toys
Slippers
Corky pieces, polystyrene
Damaged clothing, textile bags
Bottles, jars
Light bulbs and neon tubes
Medical/Hygiene
ANNEX 5
How much
During the 9 surveys of the 3 beaches made the volunteers collected 3409 litter items.
The analysis of the monitoring data shows that during the out-of-touristic season and touristic
season the most often find litter are bottle caps (303), wraps for alimentary products (295), plastic
bags (249) and plastic bottles (241).
Tendency
Considering the favorite climatic conditions in Bulgaria, already in May people start to use the
beaches for sunbathing. June can be considered as a touristic period, nevertheless that the
officially the beaches in Pomorie were opened on 15 June with the Mayor’s order. The official
opening is based on the report of the regional commission for beaches, proving that the beach
provides all necessary facilities (such as lifeguard, medical posts, toilets, baskets, beach cleaning,
showers and drinking water) and can be considered as safe and suitable for use.
The results of the beach survey show clearly that during the out-of-touristic period, when the
beaches are not cleaned regularly, nevertheless the less number of visitors, the litter pollution is
significant.
Very indicative is comparison of the beach pollution on 2 June and 16 June – before and after the
official start of the season, when the operators start officially to provide services on the beaches.
Sociological investigation
During the period 15 June – 15 July more than 500 visitors of the Central, Eastern and South
Pomorie beaches were interviewed by the preliminary elaborated questionnaire.
The analysis of the results shows that people appreciate climatic conditions of the beaches (the
beach is exposed to the sunlight all day long – around 50%). But the most disturbing factor is
beach pollution – more then 60% of the visitors answered that they do not like the rubbish on the
beach. (see figure)
1. rubbish ( paper and plastic packs,
bottles, cigarette ends and residues from
households
What you don't like on
this beach
2. unsatisfying sand quality
3. water quality
4. lack of facilities on the beach
3,03
30,3
5. the beach is crowded and noisy
66,66
18,18
6. degradation of the beach’s scenery
because of ugly constructions
30,3
6,06
6,06
15,15
12,12
12,12
18,18
7. lack of information about the seawater
quality, air quality and areas with
historical value
8. presence of peddlers and of beggars
9. lack of safety measures to protect the
tourists
10. there is no entertainment on the
beach
120
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Furthermore, the opinion of most beach visitors is that the garbage (boxes, plastic bags, paper,
PET-bottles, food related items trash, dirt) could affect strongly (to very strongly) the quality of the
beach.
What can be done?
The beach visitors consider the daily cleaning of the bathing area (removing of rubbish, algae, etc.)
as the most important measure for improvement of the beach quality. On the second place is
provision of sufficient number (and acceptable quality) of toilets, showers, garbage containers on
the beach.
1. Daily cleaning of the bathing area (removing
rocks, algae, rubbish, metallic objects, pipes)
84,84
Modifications for improving the beach quality
2. Separating the bathing area from the one for
nautical sports (skijets, boats, hydrobicycles)
36,36
3. Decrease of the quantity of used water that is
thrown into the seawater and their discharge far
from the bathing area
21,21
4. A large number of toilets, showers, garbage
cans on the beach
54,54
27,27
24,24
84,84
18,18
5. Presence of lifeguards and of first aid points
available for the hole season
21,21
30,30
36,36
24,24
21,21
6. Informing the tourists about the seawater quality
24,24
21,21
7. Warning signs for the swimmers
30,30
54,54
8. Access forbidden for animals in the seawater
18,18
9. Forbidding the discharge of dirty waters from
pools and hotels
24,24
SOZOPOL
Characteristics of the Sozopol Beaches
Sozopol seashore is divided on 2 beaches (see the map attached). For the need of this project we
selected the most famous and preferred by the tourists sand beaches to be monitored regularly.
The “Harmanite” beach is situated in the south and central part of the bay, lying between Cap
“Harmanite” and Cap “Kolokita”. It looks northeast. The sand is thin and average-sized, quartzcarbonated (content of carbonates of 58%). It has a low content of heavy metals. It feeds mainly
by the broken shells. Dunes with height of 4-8 ms are situated in the rear south part of the beach.
The beach has a shoreline of 812 m and average width of 75 m.
The whole area is 51,715 m². and the area of the dunes behind is14,280 m².
Borders of the selected 500 m for the Litter Survey:
North: Transformer
South: Café-bar “Odisey”
Within the observed beach area (maximum 100 m from the limit of the beach) there are:
Restaurants (5), alimentary shops (7) , discotheque (2) , family hotels (4). The access to the beach
is free. There is no fence. The beach is provided with baskets, toilets, lifeguard, umbrellas and
lounge chairs, and showers. Operated by a private operator.
121
ANNEX 5
A “Central” beach is situated in front of the town, in small arc-like bay, northeast of cap
“Harmanite”. It is facing northeast. The sand is thin and average-sized. It feeds from the depth of
the sea. The beach has a shoreline of 502 m and average width of 37 m. The whole area is 18,022
m². The whole beach was monitored by the volunteers. Within the observed beach area (maximum
100 m from the limit of the beach) there are: Restaurants (2), alimentary shops (3) , family hotels (1).
The access to the beach is free. The beach has a fence. The beach is provided with baskets,
toilets, lifeguard, umbrellas and lounge chairs, and showers. The beach is operated by a private
operator. The sewage waters are collected through sewage network of the town and through the
main collectors flows into the east part of the Bay of Sozopol in front of the port, away from the
beach “Central” and “Harmany”, which are used for recreation purposes.
Analyzes of the seawater quality and the air quality in Sozopol are in compliance with the national
standards. The municipal company “Sozopol” performs waste collecting and transporting of the
household and industrial waste. The wastes are disposed in the landfill of Ravadinovo village.
The efforts of the municipality management are directed towards the maintaining of the ecological
balance in the municipality in the future, which is connected with the communal and sanitary
hygiene and rational organization on the territory in order to reach the steady development.
Results of the Litter Monitoring of the Beaches in Sozopol
The monitoring of the litter pollution on the Sozopol beaches started in March 2001. Out of
touristic season, the survey was made once per month. During June and July (till 14 July in order
to be able to process the data) we made measurements of the litter pollution twice per month.
Types of litter
Beach litter consist of various slowly degradable solid waste items from a large number of
different sources. The main types of litter found on the beach are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Plastics (fragments, sheets, bags, caps, containers);
Polystyrene (cups, packaging);
Paper and cardboard;
Rubber (gloves, tires);
Metal (drink cans, aerosol containers, wires)
Wood (construction timers)
Sanitary
Textile (clothing, textile bags);
Glass (jars, bottles, light bulbs)
The pollution on the beaches is highly varied. Alimentary residues like aluminum cans, recipients
for liquids, wraps for sweats, bottle caps, plastic bottles are predominant. Should be mentioned
the oil pollution found on the Central beach in April. Significant accumulation of constructional
waste was found in April, too.
The analysis of the survey data shows that the prevailing type of beach pollution is plastic (40%).
Main sources
The conclusion of observations made is that the main source of pollution are the beach visitors.
Still important sources of beach litter are fishermen boats. Part of the beach litter is transported by
the air (especially during the windy days) from the streets and waste containers of the places of
entertainment situated next to the beach.
On the other hand, restaurants, cafes, shops and beach discotheques are important indirect
source of litter, too. The analysis shows that around 70% of the litter accumulated on the beach
122
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
are plastic bottles and caps, boxes for drinks, single use plastic glasses and cans, cigarettes
packages etc.
How much
During the 6 surveys of the 2 beaches made the volunteers collected 6710 litter items.
The analysis of the monitoring data shows that during the out-of-touristic season and touristic
season the most often find litter are bottle caps (637), wraps for alimentary products (795), plastic
bags (692); cigarette packages (575) and plastic bottles (506).
Tendency
Considering the favorite climatic conditions in Bulgaria, already in May people start to use the
beaches for sunbathing. June can be considered as a touristic period, nevertheless that the
officially the beaches in Sozopol were opened on 15 June with the Mayor’s order. The official
opening is based on the report of the regional commission for beaches, proving that the beach
provides all necessary facilities (such as lifeguard, medical posts, toilets, baskets, beach cleaning,
showers and drinking water) and can be considered as safe and suitable for use.
The results of the beach survey show clearly that during the out-of-touristic period, when the
beaches are not cleaned regularly, nevertheless the less number of visitors, the litter pollution is
significant.
Both beaches of Sozopol are operated by private concessionaires, whose properties are the
places of entertainment around the beach. The beach operators provide survives as umbrellas,
lounge chairs, sport facilities etc. They have very strong economic interest to attract the visitors.
Unfortunately not with high environmental awareness, but with this strong economic interest we
can explain the timely and thorough cleaning of the beaches in the beginning of May. Very
indicative is comparison of the beach pollution in April and May.
Litter Pollution 2001
1-15july
15-30june
1-15june
may
april
march
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
123
3000
Marks for the Northern/Southern end of the unit
Alimentary residues
Tetra boxes for drinks
Paper, newspapers, magazines
Bags
Cigarettes packages
Napkins,alimentary paper
Food cans
Aluminium cans
Sprays
Metal goods, wires, wire nets
Bottel caps
Doormat
Sole leathers, broken footwear, rubber
Plastics, hand bags
Plastic bottles
Recipients for other liquids
Single use only plastic glasses and cans
Caps
Food cans, wraps for alimentary products
Cigarette lighters
Cosmetic accessories, spray
Toys
Slippers
Corky pieces, polystyrene
Damaged clothing, textile bags
Bottles, jars
Light bulbs and neon tubes
Medical/Hygiene
ANNEX 5
Sociological investigation
During the period 15 June – 15 July more than 500 visitors of the Central and South Sozopol
beaches were interviewed on the base of the preliminary elaborated questionnaire.
The analysis of the results shows that people appreciate climatic conditions of the beaches
(around 50%). But the most disturbing factor is beach pollution – more then 60% of the visitors
answered that they do not like the rubbish on the beach. (see figure)
Furthermore, the opinion of most beach visitors is that the garbage (boxes, plastic bags, paper,
PET-bottles, food related items trash, dirt) could affect strongly (to very strongly) the quality of the
beach.
1. rubbish ( paper and plastic packs,
bottles, cigarette ends and residues from
households
2. unsatisfying sand quality
What you don't like
on this beach?
3. water quality
4. lack of facilities on the beach
12,66
8,86
6,33
5. the beach is crowded and noisy
60,76
20,25
6. degradation of the beach’s scenery
because of ugly constructions
13,92
7,59
16,46
11,39
7,59
12,66
7. lack of information about the seawater
quality, air quality and areas with
historical value
8. presence of peddlers and of beggars
9. lack of safety measures to protect the
tourists
10. there is no entertainment on the
beach
What can be done?
The beach visitors consider the daily cleaning of the bathing area (removing of rubbish, algae, etc.)
as the most important measure for improvement of the beach quality. On the second place is
provision of sufficient number (and acceptable quality) of toilets, showers, garbage containers on
the beach.
124
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Modifications for improving
the bathing quality
1. Daily cleaning of the bathing area (removing
rocks, algae, rubbish, metallic objects, pipes)
2. Separating the bathing area from the one for
nautical sports (skijets, boats, hydrobicycles)
3. Decrease of the quantity of used water that is
thrown into the seawater and their discharge far
from the bathing area
4. A large number of toilets, showers, garbage cans
on the beach
35,44
73,42
5. Presence of lifeguards and of first aid points
available for the hole season
40,51
6. Informing the tourists about the seawater quality
32,91
39,24
15,19
17,72
7. Warning signs for the swimmers
35,44
26,58
8. Access forbidden for animals in the seawater
50,63
9. Forbidding the discharge of dirty waters from
pools and hotels
10. Forbidding the discharge of dirty waters coming
from the ships
125
ANNEX 6
ANNEX 6
MAPS OF MARITIME AND SEASHORE AREAS UNDER THE
JURISDICTION OF BLACK SEA STATES
Bulgaria
Georgia
Romania
126
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Russia
Turkey
127
ANNEX 6
Ukraine
128
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
ANNEX 7
NATIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHIES ON ML
Bulgaria
Beach Survey Strategy: Handbook for Methodology, Observation Sheet, Questionnaire
Concerning the Quality and the Condition of the Beaches, GBF and MN, May 2001.
Integral monitoring of the Black Sea coastal and shelf zone (INCOM). CCMS, NATO, Report 248, December 2000 (in
Bulgarian).
Management of solid waste from ships (garbage): Progress Report. IVT, May 2003 (in Bulgarian).
Report on EIA of updated general plan for the development of the Port of Varna till 2020 and long-term perspectives and
directions. Institute of Oceanology of the Bulgarian Academy of Science, June 1999 (in Bulgarian).
Waste Management Strategy for the Port of Bourgas: Final Report. IWACO, September 2000.
Georgia
Black Sea Integrated Coastal and Shelf Zone Monitoring and Modelling (INCOM) Program Science Plan. NATO, Report 248,
2000.
Caucasus Environment Outlook (GEO). UNEP, Tbilisi, 2002.
Environmental Performance Reviews: Georgia. 2003.
Georgian Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project. Tbilisi, 2000.
Integrated Coastal Zone Management Programme. Component 1: Institutional Capacity Building. HALCROW, 2005.
National Environmental Action Plan. Tbilisi, 2002.
National Report on the State of Environment. Tbilisi, 2004.
Natural Resources of Georgia and Environmental Protection: Statistical Proceedings. Tbilisi, 2000.
Natural Resources of Georgia and Environmental Protection: Statistical Proceedings. Tbilisi, 2002.
Natural Resources of Georgia and Environmental Protection: Statistical Proceedings. Tbilisi, 2005.
Romania
No available information.
Russia
Results of the monitoring of pollution in Russian areas of the Black and Azov Seas in 2003: Annual report of the Centre on
Hydrometeorology and Environment Monitoring of the Black and Azov Seas. Sochi, 2004 (in Russian).
Results of the monitoring of pollution in Russian areas of the Black and Azov Seas in 2004: Annual report of the Centre on
Hydrometeorology and Environment Monitoring of the Black and Azov Seas. Sochi, 2005 (in Russian).
Results of the monitoring of pollution in Russian areas of the Black and Azov Seas in 2005: Annual report of the Centre on
Hydrometeorology and Environment Monitoring of the Black and Azov Seas. Sochi, 2006 (in Russian).
Turkey14
Akyol N., Tüfekçi M., Seyhan K., Demir O. 1997. Relations between the uses of coasts and public interest in Turkey: Use of
the coast of Trabzon and its results. In: Turkish coasts and seas area I (Ed. by E. Özhan). Proc. of the National
Conf., Ankara, P.195-205.
Algan N. 1994. Protection of regional seas and the Black Sea. In: Proc. of the Black Sea Symposium (Istanbul, 1991; Ed. by
K.C. Güven). The Black Sea Foundation, Istanbul, P.393-404.
Aydin A. 1994. Environmental problems of the Black Sea. Marmara Üniv. Press, No.553, 91 pp.
Balkaş T.I., Hacısalihoğlu G., Teksöz G., Tuncel S., Eliyakut F., Tekin H., Tuncel G., Yetiş Ü. 1989. Studies on the
determination of land based pollutant sources affecting the Marmara and Black Sea region. Middle East Technical
University, Environmental Research Center. 114 pp.
Berkun M. 1991. Solid waste characteristics and removal planning in the Eastern Black Sea region. Research Project No.
91112001.2, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey. (In Turkish).
Berkun M. 1994. Disposal project and characteristics of the solid waste in the eastern Black Sea. Karadeniz Technical
University, Research Foundation, Trabzon.
Berkun M. 1995. Factors affecting water quality of the eastern Black Sea coast. Proc. on the Pollution and Protection of the
Black Sea, Trabzon.
Berkun M., Aras E., Nemlioglu S. 2005. Disposal of solid waste in Istanbul and along the Black Sea coast of Turkey. Waste
Management, 25: 847–855.
Büyükgüngör H., Orhan Y. 1995. Effects of agricultural, housing and industrial pollution on the coast of the Samsun region.
Black Sea Education, Culture and Environment Foundation, Istanbul, P. 105.
14
Additional information on ML in Turkey is available on web-sites: http://www.denizcilik.gov.tr;
http://www.karadenizgazetesi.com; http://www.cevreorman.gov.tr; http://www.denizhaber.com.tr;
www.yerelnet.org.tr; www.denizticaretgazetesi.org and www.die.gov.tr.
129
ANNEX 7
Çelik F. 2002. A case study: Interstate highway in the Black Sea coast. Proc. 4th Conf. on Turkish Coast and Coastal Areas
(Izmir, Turkey, 5-8 November 2002), Vol. II, P.847-856. (In Turkish).
Determination and monitoring of land base sources of pollution in Black Sea and Marmara Sea. 1993. METU Center of
Environmental Resources, Ankara.
How can we do garbage and litter that through the sea from the ships? www.denizhaber.com
International Coastal Cleanup: Report of Turkey. 2002. [Uluslararası Kıyı ve Deniz Temizliği Kampanyası: Turkiye Raporu].
7 pp. (In Turkish).
Keleş R. 1996. Trabzon city coastal management. Foundation of Trabzon, 210 pp.
Kerestecioğlu M. 1996. Identification of the Hot Spots in the Black Sea Coast of Turkey. Black Sea Environment Programme,
Istanbul, 102 pp.
Kerestecioğlu M., Borotav Z., Ercan H. 1998. Black Sea Environmental Priorities Study: Turkey. UN Publ., New York, 177
pp.
Marine and environmental pollution as a result of discharges in Zonguldak and Çatalağzı. 5. Scientific and technical
environment conference, Adana.
Municipal solid waste treatment plant feasibility report: Province of Zonguldak. 2002. TUGAL, Zonguldak.
Öner E., Çiçek I. 1987. General characteristics of landslides and some examples from the Black Sea coastal region.
Geomorphologic Journal, 15: 53-64.
Orhan Y., Bakan G., Kader N., Doğangün E., Büyükgüngör H. 1997. Effects of the land based pollutants on the pollution of
the Black Sea, Turkey. GEOENV’97 International Symposium on Geology and Environment, Istanbul, P. 204.
Özmen M.A. 1974. Stone filling fortification of the Turkish Black Sea coasts. Master Thesis, METU Department of Civil
Engineering, Ankara.
Öztürk B. Principles of responsible fisheries in the Black Sea. www.tudav.org
Öztürk B. Our seas, problems and solution suggestions. www.denizhaber.com
Region-wide Assessment of the Land Based Sources of Pollution of the Black Sea. 1996. ITU, Department of Environmental
Engineering, Activity Center on Routine Pollution Monitoring, GEF/BSEP, stanbul.
Solid Waste Inventory of Municipality. 1991. DIE, Ankara.
Sönmez M., Remzi. 1991. Tourism Master Plan for Sinop.
Study on Appropriate Solid Waste Management Practices: Republic of Turkey. 1995. Environmental Resources
Management and TCT, METAP Report, London.
Study on the Prevention of Maritime Pollution Arising from Maritime Transport in the Marmara Sea, Bosporus and
Dardanelles. 1992. Rogge Marine Consulting GmbH, Bremen.
Tuncer G., Karakas T., Balkas T.I., Gökçay C.F., Aygun S., Yurteri C., Tuncel G. 1998. Land-based sources of pollution
along the Black Sea coast of Turkey: Concentrations and annual loads to the Black Sea. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 36(6):
409-423.
Underwater Cleaning and Awareness Activity: Report. 2006. STH, Istanbul, 24 pp.
Uslu O. 1993. Strategy decisions for the protection of coastal waters against pollution. Symposium on the Ecology of the
Azov and Black Seas, Marine Hydrophysical Institute, Sevastopol.
Uslu O. 1994. Strategy decisions for the protection of coastal waters against pollution. In: Diagnosis of the State of the
Marine Environment in the Azov-Black Sea Basin (Ed. by V.N. Eremeev). Proc. Internat. Conf. (Sevaptopol, 1993).
Marine Hydrophysical Institute, 1(3): 29-42.
Uslu O., Benli H.A. 1996. National Environmental Action Plan – UÇEP: Marine resources and Marine Pollution (Task Group
Report). State Planning Organization.
Yıldırım Y., Özölçer .H., Çapar Ö.F. 2004. A case study of rehabilitation of uncontrolled municipal solid waste landfill site in
the province of Zonguldak. In: 6th International Congress on Advances in Civil Engineering (Istanbul, Turkey, 6-8
October 2004), 10 pp.
Ukraine
Bilyavsky G., Tarasova O., Denga Y., Domashlinets V., Mischenko V., Tkachov A., Topchiyev O. 1998. Black Sea
Environmental Priorities Study: Ukraine. UN Publ., New York, 105 pp.
Birkun A., Jr., Krivokhizhin S. 2006. Estimated levels of marine litter pollution in the Ukrainian Black Sea and coastal
environment. P.33-34 in: Black Sea Ecosystem 2005 and Beyond (Abstracts of the 1st Biannual Sci. Conf. BSC,
Istanbul, Turkey, 8-10 May 2006). Istanbul, 220 pp.
Interdependence of human thalassogenic diseases and anthropogenic changes of marine ecosystems in the Black Sea:
Intermediate report for the Ministry of Public Health of Ukraine. 2002. Coord. by A.A. Birkun, Jr., State Regist. No.
0101U001162, Crimean Medical Unversity, Simferopol, 59 pp. (In Russian).
Interdependence of human thalassogenic diseases and anthropogenic changes of marine ecosystems in the Black Sea:
Intermediate report for the Ministry of Public Health of Ukraine. 2003. Coord. by A.A. Birkun, Jr., State Regist. No.
0101U001162, Crimean Medical Unversity, Simferopol, 30 pp. (In Russian).
Zaitsev Y. 1998. The Most Blue in the World. UN Publ., New York, 142 pp. (In Russian).
Zaitsev Y.P. 2006. An Introduction on the Black Sea Ecology. Even, Odessa, 224 pp. (In Russian).
Zaitsev Y., Mamaev V. 1997. Marine Biological Diversity in the Black Sea: A Study of Change and Decline. UN Publ., NewYork, 208 pp.
130
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
ANNEX 8
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL SESSION ON MARINE LITTER
DURING THE 15TH MEETING OF THE ADVISORY GROUP ON
POLLUTION MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
Istanbul, Turkey, 9-10 October 2006
The Special Session on Marine Litter (ML) was organized by the BSC Permanent Secretariat on 910 October 2006 in Taşlik Hotel, Istanbul, within the 15th Meeting of the BSC/AG PMA. This
meeting was conducted following the BSC Work Plan and the Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU; Activity C) concluded in 2005 between the BSC Permanent Secretariat and the UNEP
Regional Seas Coordinating Office in order to develop the Regional Activity on ML in the Black
Sea within the framework of the Strategic Action Plan on Rehabilitation and Protection of the
Black Sea (BS SAP).
The Special Session was chaired by Dr. Oksana Tarasova, PMA Officer of the BSC Permanent
Secretariat. Dr. Alexei Birkun agreed to act as rapporteur and provide the minutes.
Participants:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Hermanni Backer, HELCOM Secretariat, Helsinki, Finland;
Alexei Birkun, Jr., Regional Consultant on ML, Brema Laboratory, Simferopol,
Ukraine;
Nugzar Buachidze, Pollution Monitoring Centre, Georgia;
Yasemin Cagatay, Turkish Marine Environment Protection Association (TURMEPA;
NGO), Turkey;
Gul Goktepe, Turkish Environmental and Woodlands Protection Society (TURCEK;
NGO), Turkey;
Suna Gurler, National Consultant on ML, Provincial Directorate of Istanbul of the
Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Istanbul, Turkey;
Kalinka Kamenova, Black Sea Water Basin Directorate, Varna, Bulgaria;
Tulay Kirimhan, DG of Environmental Management, Marine and Coastal Management
of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Turkey;
Sefa Kocabas, Environmental Protection Association of Zonguldak (NGO), Turkey ;
Viktor Komorin, Ukrainian Scientific Center of Ecology of Seas, Odessa, Ukraine;
Samuel Kotis, officer of the US Embassy in Budapest;
Velcho Kuyumdjiev, Bulgaria;
Radu Mihnea, Chairman of AG PMA, National Institute for Marine Research and
Development, Constantsa, Romania;
Natalia Movchan, National Consultant on ML, Ecological Committee of the
Parliament of Ukraine, Kiev, Ukraine;
Yuriy Nabyvanets, Ukrainian Research Hydrometeorological Institute, Ukraine;
Atanaska Nikolova, National Consultant on ML, Black Sea Water Basin Directorate,
Bourgas, Bulgria;
Atanas Palazov, Institute of Oceanology, Varna, Bulgaria;
Alev Pirci, DG of Environmental Management, Marine and Coastal Management of
the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Turkey;
Oksana Tarasova, Permanent Secretariat of the Black Sea Commission, Istanbul
Vano Tsiklauri, WWF Caucasus Programme, Georgia;
Nino Tskhadadze, Department of the Black Sea Convention, Ministry of
Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Tbilisi, Georgia;
Evgeniy Yakushev, Laboratory of Marine Chemistry, Southern Branch of the Shirshov
Institute of Oceanology, Gelendgik, Russia.
131
ANNEX 8
The meeting was attended by National Consultants on ML from Bulgaria (Atanaska Nikolova),
Turkey (Suna Gurler) and Ukraine (Natalia Movchan), whereas the National Consultants from
Georgia (Tamar Gamgebeli), Romania (Alexei Atudorei) and Russia (Yuriy Yurenko) were not able
to participate due to different reasons.
Opening and introductory remarks
The Special Session was opened by the chair. She reminded the participants about the contents
of the MoU regarding the Regional Activity on ML in the Black Sea and underlined that the main
purposes of the meeting are:
(a)
to assess national and regional situation regarding ML problem in the Black Sea and
discuss appropriate national and regional reports based on the questionnaire adopted
by the BSC Secretariat;
(b)
to develop and prioritize strategies which could serve as a baseline for the Black Sea
Action Plan on ML.
The agenda was adopted as proposed originally with the exception of presentations of the
Romanian and Russian ML reports owing to the absence of relevant national consultants. It was
agreed by the participants that Vano Tsiklauri will present the Georgian national report on base of
materials prepared in advance by Tamar Gamgebeli; and the Romanian and Russian ML data will
be considered within the presentation of the Black Sea regional report.
An introductory presentation of UNEP/GPA15 and UNEP/RS16 activities on ML was made by the
chair. In particilar, it was noted that:
15
16
•
the total input of ML into the oceans and seas worldwide is estimated at 6.4 million
tonnes per year and round 8 million items every day;
•
the large share of ML (90-95%) is represented by plastics which are long-lived and
active for decades, can travel huge distances with marine currents and winds, cause a
threat to marine life and humans directly and indirectly, entail economic losses to
coastal communities, tourism, fishermen, seafaring, etc.;
•
light plastics are distributed in the water column being transported horizontally and
vertically; most such polymer items (90%) float on or close to the water surface;
heavier components are distributed at all depths, 70% ends up on the seabed (15%
on the beaches, 15% floating);
•
sea-based sources of ML are represented by various vessels, fish farming, ghost
fishing, offshore oil and gas platforms, whereas the main land-based sources are:
landfills located on the seacoast or along the coasts of rivers, direct discharge of
untreated sewage into the sea and touristic/recreational activities at the seashore;
•
worldwide inputs of ML are increasing, despite international, regional and national
efforts;
•
causative factors of this negative trend: a lack of international legal instruments,
deficiencies in implementation and enforcement of existing regulations and standards,
lack of awareness among main stakeholders and general public;
•
UNEP/GPA and UNEP/RS recognize ML as an important marine pollution category to
be addressed;
Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities.
Regional Seas Programme.
132
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
•
The ML objectives of these international bodies are: (a) to establish controlled and
environmentally sound facilities for receiving, collecting, handling and disposing of
litter from coastal area communities; and (b) to reduce significantly the amount of litter
reaching the marine and coastal environment by the prevention or reduction of the
generation of solid waste and improvements in its management, including collection
and recycling of litter.
Presentation of ML reports and discussion
The floor was given by turns to Nikolova, Gurler, Movchan and Tsiklauri. They presented,
correspondingly, National Reports on ML prepared in Bulgaria, Turkey, Ukraine and Georgia.
After that, the floor was given to Birkun, who presented the draft Regional Report on ML (or,
according to the MoU terminology, the Review Document on ML in the Black Sea Region)17 based
on the data and expert views provided by the National Consultants and supplemented with other
available information taken from scientific publications, reports, media, etc.
The talks/PowerPoint presentations were arranged in accordance with standard ML Questionnaire
prepared by the Regional Consultant and adopted and distributed by the BSC Secretariat in early
2006 as a template for National Report on the State of ML Problem.
The consultants presented their summaries concerning following basic items:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
geographical scope of the problem;
legal and administrative instruments;
existing institutional arrangements;
strategies, programmes and initiatives;
ML research and monitoring in the marine and coastal environment;
expert evaluation of the present state of ML problem; and
proposals and recommendations for changes.
Each talk was accompanied with questions and remarks by the participants. The presentations
were followed with open discussion.
It was noted, in particular, that all six Black Sea countries (including Rumania and Russia which
were not represented by their National Consultants at the meeting but submitted the reports) are
concerned about Black Sea ML problem and its growth within the national boundaries (including
coastal areas, internal waters and territorial sea), exclusive economic zones and in the region in
whole. However, the problem is not addressed yet up to par in the national politics and
legislations, thus, currently available legal instruments (national, regional and international) seem
to be not enough to solve, stabilize or even noticeably restrain it.
It was noted also that numerous governmental establishments (which are basically but not only
dependent on the Ministries of Environment, Ministries of Public Health and Departments of
Marine Transport) as well as many research institutions, universities, NGOs, municipal and harbor
services, state-run and private enterprises assumed certain responsibilities and obligations (or
possess potential capabilities) to deal with the ML problem. However, by far not all and, probably,
few of them demonstrate real effort in this matter. No special (anti-) ML strategies, action plans or
programmes exist in the riparian states including reasonable research and monitoring
programmes which might be developed and funded by the governments.
At the same time, it was underlined that some cognate (closely related to ML problem) activities
are in progress. Most of these relate to the problem of adequate receiving, collecting, handling
and disposing/recycling of solid wastes (obvious primary origin of ML) produced by coastal area
communities, industries and various vessels. In spite of general positive trend towards the
17
Birkun A., Jr., Atudorei A., Gamgebeli T., Gurler S., Movchan N., Nikolova A., Okus E., Yurenko Y. 2006. Marine Litter in
the Black Sea Region: A Review of the Problem. Report to the Permanent Secretariat of the Commission on the Protection
of the Black Sea Against Pollution.
133
ANNEX 8
mitigation of this problem in the region, some “hot spots” were identified by the meeting including
the uncontrolled landfill sites situated in the immediate proximity to the sea or on the river banks.
It was concluded that additional efforts should be applied by the states to eliminate such
permanent and, undoubtedly, severe sources of ML pollution.
Among other important items and basic activities discussed there were:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
port reception facilities for garbage (are lacking in many small harbors);
lack of contemporary incineration and recycling factories for solid waste;
ghost fishing (is not addressed yet on the national and regional level);
need in common (regional) ML monitoring methodology and database;
necessity of initial and periodical assessments of ML pollution;
need in development of communities services for ML/solid waste collecting;
expediency of professional sectorial and 'responsible citizenship' guidelines on ML.
It was recognized that floating ML and mainly drift plastics represent transboundary threat for the
Black Sea environment and this problem could be properly addressed (the data on distribution
and absolute numbers of floating litter will be obtained) by means of a basin-wide line transect
survey that would resemble the vessel-based surveys conducted in the Ukrainian and Russian
territorial sea in September-October 2003. ML survey may be designed and carried out as a
parallel (low cost) activity in frames of the Black Sea cetacean survey promoted by the BSC
Secretariat in cooperation with ACCOBAMS and preliminarily planned for summer 2007. Positive
experience gained in recent years due to initiative studies of ML pollution in Bulgaria, Russia,
Turkey and Ukraine should be taken into account when the common methodology of ML
monitoring and assessment is elaborated.
NGOs and ML issues
Crucial role of environmental NGOs in raising public awareness and education campaigns on ML
problem was emphasized repeatedly by the consultants and other participants of the meeting.
Some examples of relevant voluntary activities (clean-up operations on the beaches, publishing
and dissemination of posters, leaflets, etc.) are known in Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania and Ukraine.
Meantime, the most extensive public movement against ML pollution seems to be developed in
Turkey (according to the National Report, at least 16 NGOs and their branches are involved in ML
initiatives in different cities of the Turkish Black Sea coast).
The floor was given to responsible representatives of three Turkish NGOs – to Yasemin Cagatay
from the Marine Environment Protection Association (TURMEPA), Sefa Kocabas from the
Environmental Protection Association of Zonguldak and Gul Goktepe from the Turkish
Environmental and Woodlands Protection Society (TURCEK). They presented activities of their
organizations including participation in the International Coastal Cleanup Campaign (TURMEPA,
2002-2006), public educational efforts (TURCEK) and Environmental Protection Association of
Zonguldak, active since 1992, that presented long-term exertion to eliminate solid waste problem
in Zonguldak and studies to improve public awareness.
The meeting appreciated efforts of these NGOs and noted that their experience can be useful for
application on the regional level.
Then the participants discussed possibilities to organize regular (annual) regional clean-up
compagne under the auspices of the BSC Secretariat. The Black Sea Day in September and 22
April (the date when the Bucharest Convention was signed) were proposed by the chair as
probable opportune days for this action. Cagatay and Nikolova agreed to prepare a concept of the
Black Sea clean-up campaign.
Hermanni Backer proposed his assistance regarding available information on ML activities in the
Baltic Sea region.
134
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
Black Sea Action Plan on ML
Birkun presented results of expert evaluation of priorities in coverage of ML problem on the
national level. According to the summarized scores based on individual estimates by the National
Consultants, at least seven (but probably more) high priority actions should be taken into account
in the Black Sea Regional Action Plan/Strategy on Marine Litter (see Annex). Nevertheless, it was
noted that the summarized “national” scores do not necessarily reflect the ML priorities on
regional scale.
The participants were then invited to propose their own list of high priority actions to be included
in the ML action plan. The “brain storming” approach was applied to complete this work. Finally,
the participants agreed that principal actions and activities which should be included in the action
plan are as follows:
•
improvement of national waste management policies (to introduce measures to
reduce ML pollution into national waste management policies);
•
improvement of legal and administrative instruments for ML as a part of national
waste management policies (to introduce necessary amendments related to ML into
new LBS protocol of the Bucharest Convention);
•
development of the regional and national ML assessment and monitoring schemes
using common methodologies and assessment criteria (to develop methodologies for
monitoring and assessment of floating, submerged and coastal litter; to organize and
maintain ML monitoring facilities);
•
developing and implementing measures to prevent and reduce ML pollution (to
prepare proposals and relevant implementation programs; to construct and improve
port reception facilities for garbage; to close down dumping sites and landfills in the
coastal water protection zone as defined in national legislation; to address and
mitigate ghost fishing);
•
raising public awareness and improvement of public education (to prepare awareness
and educational tools; to organize public campaigns; to initiate awareness-raising
campaign in media; to prepare 'responsible citizenship' guidelines);
•
strengthening public/private partnership in combatting ML pollution;
•
implementation of the best available technologies in order to collect, process, recycle
and dispose ML;
•
improvement of professional skills and knowledge on the management of ML (to
prepare professional sectorial guidelines; to organize a training for officers involved in
ML management).
In conclusion the chair thanked all participants for their contribution to this meeting and closed
the session.
135
ANNEX 8
Annex
Expert evaluation of priorities in coverage of ML problem on the national
level
Potential actions
Bulgaria
A.Nikolova
Georgia
T.Gamgebeli
Romania
A.Atudorei
Russia
Y.Yurenko
Turkey
E.Okus
Ukraine
N.Movchan
Total
score
Correction of waste
management policy
Improvement of legal and
administrative instruments
Development of sustainable
ML management
Development of ML
monitoring methodology
National assessment of ML
pollution
Preparation of proposals to
prevent and reduce ML
Preparation of awareness
and educational tools
Organising and maintaining
ML monitoring facilities
Development of port
reception facilities for
garbage
Involvement of stakeholders
in anti-ML partnership
Preparation of professional
sectorial guidelines
Initiation of awareness-raising
campaign in media
Elaboration of ML processing
technologies/devices
Preparation of 'responsible
citizenship' guidelines
Promotion of public
participation in cleanup
activities
Development of
campaigns/services for ML
collecting
Elaboration of ML collecting
technologies/devices
Training of officers involved in
ML management
Research of social and
economic costs of ML
Implementation of “polluter
pays principle” for ML
3
3
3
3
3
3
18
3
3
3
2
3
3
17
3
3
3
2
3
3
17
3
3
3
2
3
3
17
3
3
3
2
3
3
17
2
3
3
3
3
3
17
3
3
3
3
3
2
17
2
3
2
3
2
3
15
3
3
2
2
2
3
15
3
2
2
2
3
3
15
3
2
3
2
2
3
15
3
2
3
2
3
2
15
2
2
2
3
2
3
14
2
2
3
3
2
2
14
2
3
3
1
3
2
14
2
3
2
1
2
3
13
2
2
2
1
2
3
12
2
2
3
1
2
2
12
3
no data
no data
no data
no data
3
no data
no data
no data
no
data
no
data
no
data
no
data
no data
Primary – 3 Secondary – 2 Next to “0” – 1 Maximum overall score = 18 (3 x 6 experts)
136
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
ANNEX 9
DRAFT STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND
ABATEMENT OF MARINE LITTER IN THE BLACK SEA
18
REGION (BS-ML-SAP)
Contents
Preamble
1
2
3
4
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
6
7
Aim and Objectives
Definitions
Geographical Scope
General Principles and Tools
Actions
Consolidation of Environmental Policy, Legislation and Administrative Instruments
Organizational and Institutional Arrangements
Research, Monitoring and Assessment
Practical Activities Aimed to Prevent and Reduce Marine Litter Pollution
Public Awareness, Education and Information Exchange
Implementation Framework
Reporting
Recognizing that the overloading of oceans and seas with floating marine litter and its growing
accumulation on the coasts is one of the major environmental problems world-wide and within the
Black Sea region, in particular;
Recognizing also that marine litter superfluity in the basin of semi-closed Black Sea exerts a
negative impact on marine and coastal ecosystems, the overall health status of seaside
populations and development of the maritime economics including the tourist industry, fisheries
and shipping;
Recalling that the state of the environment of the Black Sea and adjacent waters continues to be
a matter of concern due to the ongoing degradation of their ecosystems and the unsustainable
use of their natural resources;
Being aware that the marine litter issues are so far not properly addressed or managed on a
regional or national scale, and even actual levels of marine litter pollution are not adequately
evaluated nor monitored by the Black Sea riparian countries;
Being Contracting Parties to the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution
(signed in Bucharest, Romania, on 21 April 1992) and to the protocols of this Convention including:
the Protocol on the Protection of the Black Sea Marine Environment Against Pollution from Landbased Sources; the Protocol on the Cooperation in Combating Pollution of the Black Sea by Oil
and Other Harmful Substances in Emergency Situations; the Protocol on the Protection of the
Black Sea Marine Environment Against Pollution by Dumping; and the Protocol on the Black Sea
Biodiversity and Landscape Conservation;
Bearing in mind that all of the Black Sea countries have signed and ratified the International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78; London, 1973 and 1978),
the Convention on the Trans-boundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
(Basel Convention; Basel, 1989), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD; Rio de Janeiro,
1992), and European Environment Ministries adopted the Protocol on Strategic Environmental
Assessment, as well as the Environment Strategy for Countries of Eastern Europe, Caucasus and
Central Asia (Kiev, 2003);
18
This document has been prepared by the regional consultant, Dr A. Birkun, upon the request of the Permanent
Secretariat of the Blck Sea Commission, to provide basis for regional policy development in the Black Sea region in long
term and as a guidance in the SAP update process in short-term.
137
ANNEX 9
Also being Contracting Parties to Annex V of MARPOL 73/78, the Regulations for the Prevention
of Pollution by Garbage from Ships, which is a document designating the Black Sea as a potential
Special area with regard to restriction of solid waste / marine litter pollution originated from
vessels;
Recalling that the Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and
Other Matter (London Convention; London, 1972) is designed to control the pollution by wastes
and dredged spoils which are loaded on ships for the intentional purpose of dumping them at sea,
and that this Convention is not ratified yet by some Black Sea states;
Recalling further the Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea
that was adopted in Istanbul, Turkey, in October 1996 (amended in 2002), with particular reference
to its Articles 39, 42, 43, 45, 46 and 53 relating to the reduction of pollution from vessels, land
based sources and dumping, to the waste management, and to the reporting of results of marine
pollution monitoring and assessment;
Recalling also that the UNEP Governing Council decision 22/2 IIIA on the Regional Seas
Programme calls for the utilization of the regional seas conventions and action plans as a platform
for the regional implementation of multilateral environmental agreements and global programmes
and initiatives; and that the addressing, management and abatement of marine litter are priority
activities for both the Black Sea Commission (BSC) and the UNEP Regional Seas Programme19;
Convinced that special activities should be applied to overcome the marine litter problem in the
Black Sea region, and those activities arranged in this particular document (BS-ML-SAP) should
be incorporated later on into the framework of new edition of the Strategic Action Plan for the
Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea (2008);
Aware that the production and implementation of the BS-ML-SAP can and should facilitate the
obligations of the Contracting Parties with respect to other multi-lateral environmental agreements
to which they may also be Contracting Parties
the Governments of:
Bulgaria
Georgia
Romania
the Russian Federation
Turkey, and
Ukraine
Agree on the following aim, objectives, definitions, geographical scope, general principles, tools
and actions:
1
Aim and Objectives
Considering above provisions, the aim of the BS-ML-SAP is to consolidate, harmonize and
implement necessary environmental policies, strategies and measures to develop sustainable
integrated management of marine litter issues in the Black Sea region.
The objectives of the BS-ML-SAP are as follows:
(1)
to improve the waste management policies in order to devote due regional/
intergovernmental and national/governmental attention and outline proper effort and
resources for the abatement of marine litter pollution in the Black Sea in general and in every
Black Sea coastal state, in particular;
19
The Memorandum of Understanding regarding the Regional Activity on Marine Litter in the Black Sea was concluded in
2005 between the Permanent Secretariat of the Black Sea Commission and the UNEP Regional Seas Coordinating Office.
138
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
(2)
to reinforce and harmonize existing legal and administrative instruments relevant to the
implementation of waste management policies in order to ensure their efficacy under the
application with respect to marine litter issues;
(3)
to strengthen intergovernmental institutional arrangements consolidating Black Sea regional
activities on marine litter and other types of marine pollution;
(4)
to improve national institutional mechanisms with respect to the addressing, preventing and
combating the marine litter problem;
(5)
to identify financial sources and allocate essential funds for the implementation of marine
litter projects;
(6)
to develop regional and national marine litter monitoring and assessment schemes based
upon a common research approach in methodology, evaluation criteria and reporting
requirements;
(7)
to improve, develop and implement practical measures aimed to prevent and/or reduce
marine litter pollution;
(8)
to gain and implement the best available technologies in order to collect, process, recycle
and dispose marine litter;
(9)
to raise public awareness and promote public education on marine litter issues;
(10) to strengthen public, governmental, and private sector partnership in combating marine litter
pollution;
(11) to improve the professional skills and knowledge of responsible authorities involved in the
management of marine litter issues;
(12) to stimulate information exchange on marine litter issues in order to share the best
experiences and innovative technologies amongst the Black Sea countries.
2
Definitions
Ecosystem approach is the comprehensive integrated management of human activities based on
best available scientific knowledge about the ecosystem and its dynamics, in order to identify and
take action on influences which are critical to the health of the marine ecosystems, thereby
achieving sustainable use of ecosystem goods and services and maintenance of ecosystem
integrity. This description clearly places humans as part of natural ecosystems, and stresses that
human activities in these ecosystems must be managed such that they are sustainable in the long
term, not compromising ecosystem components that contribute to its structural and functional
integrity.20
Ghost fishing is the accidental capture of aquatic organisms by fishing gear (usually gill nets, or
traps, pots, etc.) that has been lost or discarded into the sea and which continues to entangle or
trap aquatic animals.21
Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) is a development management process realised at
the state level with participation of all stakeholders, aimed at optimal balance among economic
development, environment protection and social benefits. It is implemented by establishing the
organizational legal framework and procedures, required for the provision of an optimal
combination (integration) of development plans in coastal zones with the problems of
environmental protection and resources conservation (including the social aspect).
20
The definition has been adopted by the Intermediate Ministerial Meeting (Bergen Declaration, March 2002) and the Køge
Stakeholders meeting (December 2002).
21
The definition was taken from <www.oceansatlas.org/world_fisheries_and_aquaculture/html/glos/terms/>.
139
ANNEX 9
Marine litter is any persistent, manufactured or processed solid material discarded, disposed of
or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment. Marine litter consists of items that have
been made or used by people and deliberately discarded into the sea or rivers or on beaches;
brought indirectly to the sea with rivers, sewage, storm water or winds; accidentally lost, including
material lost at sea in bad weather (fishing gear, cargo); or deliberately left by people on beaches
and shores.22
‘Polluter pays’ principle: any polluter should bear the cost of measures to reduce pollution
according to the extent of either the damage done to society or the exceeding of an acceptable
level (standard) of pollution.23
Precautionary principle: where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage to the
environment, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing costeffective measures to prevent environmental degradation. 6
Solid waste is non hazardous solid or semi solid materials which result from residential,
institutional, commercial, office, industrial, construction, or demolition activities, and that are
discarded as garbage, refuse, or other waste, provided that 'solid waste' does not include material
that is intended or collected for the purpose of recycling.24
Special area means a sea area where for recognized technical reasons in relation to its
oceanographical and ecological condition and to the particular character of its traffic the adoption
of special mandatory methods for the prevention of sea pollution by garbage is required. Any
discharges of garbage (except food waste) are prohibited in a special area. However, the garbage
discharge requirements for a region that has been designated as a special area (e.g., the Black
Sea area) will not enter into force until adequate garbage reception facilities are provided by all
riparian countries in their ports and harbours.25
3
Geographical Scope
(1)
Geographical scope of marine litter problem, existing in the Black Sea region, extends over
the entire catchment area of the Black Sea drainage basin and includes the Black Sea proper;
two neighbouring seas (the Sea of Azov and the Marmara Sea); two straits connecting the
Black Sea with these seas (the Strait of Kerch and Istanbul Strait); all rivers (along with their
tributaries, estuaries and banks) flowing into the mentioned water bodies; coastal territories
bordering to these maritime areas; and all lands drained by the rivers and their confluents.
Thus, the geographical scope of marine litter origin includes those parts of Europe and Asia
from which marine litter arrive in and depart from the Black Sea region directly or by dint of
water masses involved in the hydrological regime of the basin. To this end it is expected that
the Contracting Parties will agree on the geographical scope if it does go beyond the one
established in the Convention and will elaborate a mechanism for dealing with pollution
coming from the marine litter pollution sources not included in the geographical scope of the
BS-ML-SAP.
(2)
The BS-ML-SAP area should be delineated and agreed by the Contracting Parties during two
years since the BS-ML-SAP and/or newly amended Strategic Action Plan for the
Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea (along with marine litter articles incorporated
in it) come into force. Within the interim period, the Black Sea Commission shall prepare a
map of the BS-ML-SAP area consistent with (a) national legislation; (b) boundaries of
maritime and coastal areas under the jurisdiction of the Black Sea states (including their
coastal water protection zones, internal waters, territorial sea and exclusive economic zones)
and (c) natural and man-made features of the coastline and the seabed.
22
Marine Litter: An Analytical Overview (UNEP, 2005).
These principals were adopted by the the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Rio de Janeiro,
June 1992).
24
Glossary of Environmental Terminology <http://www.eco-tec-inc.com/glossary.html>
25
Regulation 1(3) of Annex V to MARPOL 73/78.
23
140
Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
4
General Principles and Tools
(1)
The BS-ML-SAP shall be implemented as an integrated mechanism for Black Sea
cooperation in the field of management and abatement of marine litter pollution in order to
achieve the BS-ML-SAP objectives and objectives stated in the Convention on the
Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution and its Protocols.
(2)
The Contracting Parties to the above Convention shall incorporate the provisions of the BSML-SAP into their national strategies, plans and/or programs for the protection and
rehabilitation of the Black Sea and the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources
paying due attention to national, sectoral and intersectoral interaction.
(3)
The Contracting Parties shall endeavour to apply the ecosystem approach to any human
activities that may contribute to marine litter pollution in the region and, thus, irreversibly
damage, compromise or otherwise affect the Black Sea marine and coastal environment.
(4)
The implementation of the BS-ML-SAP shall be closely coordinated with respective global
and European legal instruments and initiatives covering a wide range of the environmentoriented fields, including management of waste, water pollution, nature conservation, and
relevant European criteria and standards; it should also be consistent with already existing
national obligations of the Contracting Parties.
(5)
The implementation of the BS-ML-SAP shall be based on fundamental environmental
principles and tools including the precautionary, ‘polluter pays’, clean technology/clean
production principles and tools of the integrated coastal zone management, combating the
pollution at source, and shared responsibility.
5
Actions
The actions presented below are grouped into five sections in accordance with general directions
of the proposed activities:
Consolidation of environmental policy, legislation and administrative instruments
(Objectives 1 and 2);
Organizational and institutional arrangements (Objectives 3, 4 and 5);
Research, monitoring and assessment (Objective 6);
Practical activities aimed to prevent and reduce marine litter pollution (Objectives 7
and 8);
Public awareness, education and information exchange (Objectives 9, 10, 11 and 12).
5.1 Consolidation of Environmental Policy, Legislation and Administrative
Instruments
Objective 1: to improve the waste management policies in order to devote due regional/
intergovernmental and national/governmental attention and outline proper effort and
resources for the abatement of marine litter pollution in the region as a whole and in every
Black Sea riparian state, in particular.
5.1.1: to introduce specific issues, aimed to address, prevent, control and reduce marine litter
pollution, into the Black Sea regional and national environmental policies concerned with
waste/solid waste management and the integrated coastal zone management:
141
ANNEX 9
(a)
to amend the Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea by
means of the addition of marine litter items in the articles concerned with the prevention,
reduction and control of the pollution from land-based sources, vessels, emergency
situations, dumping, other activities at sea and on the seacoast, by hazardous wastes in
transboundary movement;
(b)
to amend national waste strategies and national coastal zone management plans (or other
relevant plans and programs) with the aim of marine litter minimization, and/or to develop
and adopt national action plans specially dedicated to address and mitigate the marine litter
problem.
Objective 2: to reinforce and harmonize existing legal and administrative instruments
relevant to the implementation of waste management policies in order to ensure their
efficacy with respect to marine litter issues.
5.1.2: introduce amendments related to marine litter into existing and draft protocols of the
Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution, including:
(a)
Protocol on the Protection of the Black Sea Marine Environment Against Pollution from
Land-based Sources;
(b)
Protocol on the Cooperation in Combating Pollution of the Black Sea by Oil and Other
Harmful Substances in Emergency Situations;
(c)
Protocol on the Protection of the Black Sea Marine Environment Against Pollution by
Dumping;
(d)
Black Sea Biodiversity and Landscape Conservation Protocol; and
(e)
Draft Legally Binding Document for Fisheries and Conservation of Living Resources of the
Black Sea.
5.1.3: promote implementation by all Black Sea states of the principles of the Convention for the
Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (the London Convention,
1972)
5.1.4: carry out the detailed comparative analysis of national policies relevant to the marine litter
problem and to conduct the verification of their correspondence with respective international and
regional legal acts; to prepare appropriate recommendations on the harmonization and
improvement of national legislation.
5.1.5: ensure conformity of national legislative acts and administrative policies of the Black Sea
states with international and regional instruments concerned with the marine litter problem and
solid waste management:
(a) develop and/or update national legal acts aimed at combating marine pollution including the
marine litter and solid waste components. In particular, these national acts should:
•
prohibit any deliberate discharge/dumping of potential marine litter at sea, into rivers
or, on the seashore and riverbanks;
•
improve solid waste collection, processing, storage, disposal and recycling facilities;
and
•
enhance governmental control of the above activities.
The transposition of relevant EU directives and standards (including the Landfill Directive, etc.) in
the national legislations could be recommended not only for EU member states but for all Black
Sea countries;
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Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
(b)
in view of intersectoral cooperation and coordination, harmonize appropriate administrative
instruments issued at national, provincial and local levels by different authorities responsible
for:
•
protection of the environment,
•
public health,
•
coastal and urban development,
•
integrated management of coastal zone,
•
marine and riverine traffic,
•
fishery and aquaculture,
•
tourism and recreation,
•
offshore gas and oil exploration,
•
various industries and agriculture,
•
protection of state boundaries,
•
military (defence) activities,
•
criminal and administrative offences.
5.2 Organizational and Institutional Arrangements
Objective 3: to strengthen intergovernmental institutional arrangements consolidating Black
Sea regional activities regarding marine litter and other types of marine pollution.
5.2.1: introduce marine litter issues as a matter of regular supervision and special discussions into
the workplans and practice of operation of the Black Sea Commission, BSC Permanent
Secretariat, and BSC Advisory Groups (AG) including the AG on Pollution Monitoring and
Assessment, AG on Control of Pollution from Land Based Sources, AG on Development of
Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone Management, AG on Environmental Safety
Aspects of Shipping, AG on Conservation of Biological Diversity, AG on Environmental Aspects of
the Management of Fisheries and Other Marine Living Resources, and AG on Information and
Data Exchange. It could be helpful also if two ad hoc BSC working groups (Working Group for the
Promotion of the European Water Framework Directive and the Danube/Black Sea Joint Technical
Working Group) are involved in marine litter activities.
5.2.2: stimulate marine litter activities within the institutional network coordinated by the Black
Sea Commission
5.2.3: maintain and reinforce cooperation links, options for consultative conversation, regulatory
and technical cooperation and coordination activities of the Black Sea Commission and the Black
Sea coastal states with other intergovernmental organizations involved in marine pollution / marine
litter issues at the global, European and regional level, including the United Nations Environment
Program (UNEP, including the UNEP’s Regional Seas Program and the UNEP’s Global Program of
Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities), International
Maritime Organization (IMO), World Health Organization (WHO), UN Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO,
Mediterranean Science Commission (CIESM), Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of
Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP), and appropriate institutions of the European Union
(EU). The continued development of cooperation between BSC Permanent Secretariat and
secretariats of the CBD, Bern Convention26, CMS27 and ACCOBAMS28 is also expedient.
26
Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern, 1979).
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn, 1979).
28
Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area
(Monaco, 1996).
27
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ANNEX 9
Objective 4: to improve national institutional arrangements regarding addressing, preventing
and combatting the marine litter problem.
5.2.4: inventory and evaluate operational abilities of governmental and non-governmental entities
(ministerial and municipal structures and services, marine and sanitary inspections, research
institutions and universities, port administrations, environmental and transport agencies, waste
management companies, recycling companies and enterprises, NGOs, etc.) concerned about
marine litter pollution and involved in appropriate activities;
5.2.5: determine institutional responsibilities [and establish specified national bodies] for the
management, control, monitoring and elimination of marine litter at sea (including internal and
territorial waters) and in the coastal zone (including the populated and unpopulated areas);
5.2.6: ensure tight cooperation between the key central (e.g., ministry of environment, ministry of
public health and ministry of transport) and provincial/municipal authorities involved in marine litter
issues.
5.2.7: develop or amend local solid waste management strategies/plans and ICZM plans which
should anticipate marine litter issues and involve all stakeholders concerned;
Objective 5: to identify financial sources and allocate essential funds for the implementation
of marine litter projects.
5.2.8: the Contracting Parties shall provide proper financing of the measures and actions aimed at
the marine litter issues at a national level and ensure that the programs and projects identified as
of Black Sea regional importance are properly incorporated within the national budgets.
5.3 Research, Monitoring and Assessment
Objective 6: to develop regional and national marine litter monitoring and assessment
schemes on the basis of a common research approach, methodology, evaluation criteria and
reporting requirements.
5.3.1: study spatial and temporal patterns of marine litter distribution, accumulation and shifting
on the sea surface, within the water column, over the seabed and along the seashore with regard
to hydrological, hydrochemical and hydrometeorological peculiarities including the pronounced
horizontal stratification of the Black Sea, presence of stable and transient sea currents, seasonal
fluctuations of predominant and local winds, etc.
(a)
obtain data on geographical and temporal distribution, including density, absolute numbers,
composition, ‘hot spots’ (vast accumulations) and movement and transboundary transport of
visible floating litter by means of surveys based commonly agreed methodologies, e.g.
polygonal and line transect methodologies29;
(b) obtain data on geographical and temporal distribution of submerged marine litter by means
of diving surveys particularly (but not exclusively) in the urbanized and harbour areas around
the Black Sea.
(c) study the distribution, quantity and composition of marine litter within the water column in
offshore and inshore maritime areas.
(f)
study the distribution, quantity and composition of marine litter washed ashore on the
seacoast in different areas of the Black Sea states.
5.3.2: carry out a comprehensive study and mapping of the main sources of marine litter pollution
in the BS-ML-SAP area
29
The marine litter survey could be designed and carried out as a parallel (low cost) activity within the framework of the
Black Sea Cetacean line transect survey promoted by the BSC Permanent Secretariat and ACCOBAMS.
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Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
5.3.3: study and address, at regional and national levels, the issue of ghost fishing caused by the
fixed and floating nets, having been discarded, abandoned or lost, and by the uncontrolled fishing
nets pertinent to illegal, unreported and unregulated fisheries.
5.3.4: study the adverse effects of marine litter on the environment, biodiversity, public health,
economics and social life in the Black Sea countries and the region as a whole.
5.3.5: develop and implement on a continual basis the common methodologies, unified standards,
guidelines and reporting format for the monitoring and assessment of floating, submerged and
coastal litter, its sources and effects. The recommendations provided by international bodies30
should be taken into consideration as important mainframe documents.
5.3.6: incorporate the monitoring and assessment modules devoted to marine litter as obligatory
components into the Black Sea Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Program (BSIMAP)
5.3.7: conduct further periodical assessments annually (national level) and biennially (regional level)
analyzing the results of marine litter monitoring effort.
5.3.8: ensure that marine litter issues are included in the environmental impact assessment
schemes and procedures carried out before approving any development project that may affect
the marine and coastal environment.
5.3.9: develop and maintain national and regional marine litter databases accumulating primary
information obtained due to the monitoring of marine litter and its impact.
5.4 Practical Activities Aimed to Prevent and Reduce Marine Litter Pollution
Objective 7: to improve, develop and implement practical measures aimed to prevent and
reduce marine litter pollution.
5.4.1: improve or develop municipal and industrial infrastructures for solid waste management in
the coastal zone in order to prevent and reduce marine litter pollution originated from focal landbased sources:
(a)
close down all dumping sites and landfills situated in the immediate proximity to the sea
(within the coastal water protection zone) and on the river banks as defined in the national
legislations. Any evacuation of wastes to such sites should be completely prohibited and
stopped – this is a matter of particular urgency;
(b)
develop rehabilitation projects for the closing down dumping sites and landfills located in the
coastal zone and on the river banks
(c)
replace former poorly controlled landfills and uncontrolled dumping sites by the installation
of new regular storage facilities for solid wastes (e.g., sanitary landfill sites) situated beyond
the coastal water protection zone and river banks and constructed as consistent with
contemporary safety requirements and environmental regulations; to ensure safe disposal of
solid wastes at these new landfill sites.
5.4.2: develop and improve port reception facilities for garbage collection from vessels31:
(a)
infrastructures suitable for the reception of solid waste should be established at all Black Sea
ports and harbours and, thus, a basic requirement will be attained in order to introduce the
garbage discharge rules designated for special areas (see section 2. Definitions);
30
For instance, the WHO guidelines (Guide on the Monitoring Bathing Waters, 2000; Guidelines for Safe Recreational
Water Environments, 2003) and recommendations by UNEP (in preparation, 2007).
31
In compliance with Annex V of MARPOL 73/78 (the Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships).
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ANNEX 9
(b)
undertake precautionary measures for preventing marine litter pollution from maritime traffic:
the generation, gathering and disposal of solid wastes by vessels should be controlled by
port authorities via regular mandatory examination of appropriate onboard documentation.
5.4.3: improve or develop permanent services for marine litter collection and removal along the
entire coastline of the BS-ML-SAP area including the populated and unpopulated sections of the
shore:
(a)
improve municipal and other authorities capability for marine litter/solid waste collection
within the boundaries of their jurisdiction including the seacoast and inshore waters;
(b)
impel the tenants of beaches and local authorities to achieve the criteria of the Blue Flag
Program32
(c)
appoint responsible bodies, define management schemes and allocate resources needful for
implementing regular cleanup operations in the unpopulated areas
5.4.4: elaborate and implement measures serviceable to mitigate ghost fishing.
Objective 8: to gain and implement the best available technologies in order to collect,
process, recycle and dispose of marine litter.
5.4.5: promote general application in the BS-ML-SAP area of the integrated waste management
systems which include modern technologies of solid waste minimization, recycling and waste-toenergy conversion:
(a)
conduct feasibility studies in order to determine the number, types, properties and
costs of the constructions and equipment required for each country;
(b)
prepare and implement investment projects in order to engineer, construct and install
new solid waste recycling facilities and incineration plants which should be properly
equipped in accordance with the environmental standards.
5.4.6: promote activities aimed to develop and introduce on a larger scale the re-usable
packaging, quickly degrading wrapping materials and other practical tools instrumental sufficient
for the prevention and abatement of marine litter pollution.
5.4.7: elaborate and implement the unified [regional] system of technical norms for the prevention
and reduction of marine litter pollution as well as for marine litter collection and processing
technologies and devices.
5.4.8: elaborate upon and implement measures aimed to prevent litter carried by rivers from
deposition at sea
5.5 Public Awareness, Education and Information Exchange
Objective 9: to raise public awareness and promote public education on marine litter issues.
5.5.1: organize the Black Sea regional and national public education and awareness raising
campaigns directed towards different target groups and aimed to create ‘responsible’ behaviour:
(a)
prepare, produce and disseminate the awareness and educational tools (brochures, posters,
leaflets, TV-clips, CDs, etc.) dedicated to the marine litter problem at a national, regional and
global level;
32
The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and marinas is implemented by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
It strives to promote sustainable development in the coastal areas through high water quality standards, safety standards,
environmental management standards and environmental education.
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Marine Litter - A Review of the Problem
(b)
initiate and promote awareness-raising publications in the mass media (radio and TV
broadcasts, newspapers and environmental bulletins) expanding the experience of Black Sea
NGOs already involved in such activities;
(c)
prepare and distribute ‘responsible citizenship’ guidelines on marine litter issues for NGOs,
children and students, tourists (including yachtsmen), shipping companies (including their
managers, ship crews and passengers), fishermen, soldiers and military seamen, police staff
and municipal authorities;
(d)
organize public exhibitions of marine litter collected due to the coastal, marine and
underwater cleanup operations.
Objective 10: to strengthen public, governmental and private sector partnership in
combating marine litter pollution.
5.5.2: raise public participation in marine litter abatement activities by means of involving more
people in cleanup campaigns on a voluntary basis:
(a)
promote coastal and marine cleanup campaigns already organized and periodically
implemented by environmental NGOs at the international, national and local levels (e.g., the
International Coastal Cleanup which is the largest volunteer event of its kind in the world33);
(b)
organize an annual Black Sea regional cleanup campaign under the auspices of the Black
Sea Commission.
(c)
use the annual celebration of the Black Sea Day, 31 October34, as an additional opportunity
to highlight the importance of protection of the Black Sea against marine litter pollution and
to increase public awareness and awareness of the private sector and decision makers on
this issue.
5.5.3: involve major stakeholders in anti-marine litter cooperation, including the shipping industry,
tourism industry, manufacturers of plastics, fisheries, waste managers/services, municipalities,
local communities and authorities, NGOs and general public:
(a)
develop the partnership for marine litter prevention and reduction by means of voluntary
agreement or statement signed by representatives of major stakeholders in order to
cooperate for the protection of the marine and coastal environment against marine litter;
(b)
organize national and regional meetings/workshops of different stakeholders for the initiation
of multilateral partnerships campaigning for clean beaches and waters.
Objective 11: to improve professional skills and knowledge of responsible stakeholders
involved in the management of marine litter issues.
5.5.4: prepare, adopt and implement a set of [regionally agreed] professional sectorial guidelines:
(a)
on marine litter management for tourism, cruise liners, boating, fishery and coastal
construction.
(b)
for the development and efficient operation of solid waste reception facilities in major and
minor Black Sea ports;
(c)
for the operation, maintenance and control of solid waste disposal areas and other key
constituents of the integrated waste management systems developed in the coastal
provinces and municipalities.
33
This world-wide campaign is organized annually in mid September since 1986 by the Ocean Conservancy and numerous
NGO partners.
34
The date when the Strategic Action Plan for the Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea was signed in 1996.
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ANNEX 9
5.5.5: organize and conduct a training course on marine litter issues for officers occupied with
municipal and port waste management, wild nature conservation and fish protection (on ghost
fishing).
Objective 12: to stimulate information exchange on marine litter issues in order to share the
best experiences and innovative technologies amongst the Black Sea countries.
5.5.6: use the Biannual Scientific Conference of the Black Sea Commission as a platform for
regular information exchange (including specific symposia and round tables) on the state of the
marine litter problem.
5.5.7: prepare and publish a handbook or manual aimed to address the marine litter problem in
the Black Sea region and provide a methodological framework for the implementation of this BSML-SAP.
6
Implementation Framework
(1)
The BS-ML-SAP shall be implemented by the Contracting Parties within the mutually agreed
timeframe for achieving its objectives. The timeframe for operational actions shall be
introduced annually based on the yearly reporting of the Contracting Parties and based on
the annual work plan of the Black Sea Commission.
(2)
The Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution through its Permanent
Secretariat shall coordinate regionally relevant activities as far as possible to ensure joint
programs and projects.
(3)
Before the BS-ML-SAP comes into force, the corresponding activities shall be conducted in
accordance with provisions of the Strategic Action Plan for Rehabilitation and Protection of
the Black Sea 1996, amended 2002.
(4)
The BS-ML-SAP shall become an integral part of the new, updated Strategic Action Plan for
Rehabilitation and Protection of the Black Sea to be prepared in 2007 and approved by the
Ministerial Conference of the Contracting Parties in 2008.
7
Reporting
(1)
The implementation of the BS-ML-SAP shall be monitored through the regular reporting of
the Contracting Parties to the Black Sea Commission along with its annual and five yearly
reports.
(2)
The reporting requirements should be stipulated by the Permanent Secretariat and approved
by the Commission at one of its meetings before the end of 2008.
148
BLACK SEA COMMISSION
Dolmabahce Sarayi, 2 Hareket Kosku
34353 Besiktas
Istanbul, Turkey
Tel:
[+90 212] 227 99 27/ 310 29 10
Fax: [+90 212] 227 99 33
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.blacksea-commission.org
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COMMISSION ON THE PROTECTION OF THE BLACK SEA AGAINST POLLUTION
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